S H A M E ON THS

Humane: Main Entry: hu·mane
Pronunciation: \hyü-ˈmān, yü-\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English humain
Date: circa 1500
1 : marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals. (Merriam-Webster)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-humane-society-officials-arrested-charged-with-cruelty-to-animals/article1378385/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-humane-society-officials-arrested-charged-with-cruelty-to-animals/article1378385/

From Tim Trow, the 'combative man with a sharp temper' (should have known--he's a former provincial civil servant) to the head veterinarian Steve Sheridan, the shelter manager Gary McCracken, the manager Romeo Bernadino and the shelter supervisor Andy Bechtel--as well as the Society's board of directors...even Art Eggleton, an ex-Mayor, is not without his role in this horror.

I tell you-you'd certainly not have intimidated me the way you supposedly intimidated staff members. You see, I own a dog-I pick pieces of shit up like you every day and put it where it belongs--into the garbage.

Let me make myself very clear--Tim Trow and his lot don't deserve to get off with spending six months in jail and a fine of a couple of thousand dollars!

I've no doubt they've embezzelled enough funds to pay that kind of fine ten times over and they would look damn good behind bars, where, if there's any justice, they would be as ill-treated by their fellow inmates as they themselves treated those poor innocents! They certainly do not deserve court time paid for by the public!!?

Tim Trow deserves to simmer in a vat of feces and urine, along with his fellow scum. By the sound of things--it best be an extra-large sized vat.

From charges of “fiscal irresponsibility, improper conduct of society business,” and "implementing policies causing cruelty to animals", hurting the very animals they were supposed to heal and protect--to obstruction of justice charges through hiding animals from investigators during the investigation, this reads like a combination of a medieval horror b-movie and the political scandals exploding on front-pages of newspapers everyday, spinning our society out-of-control!

My heart is sick---I feel as if my faith has been undermined.

Let's just hope the investigation leads to prosecution of the scum involved in this whole THS scandal....or said individuals may have to deal with a roadside-type of justice when they next walk down a street...hmmm---a gal can dream!

THE VOTES ARE IN!!

For years dogs have been allowed to run loose on the Beach in Toronto. Until 2007, when the city adopted a new off-leash dog policy.


The city was prepping for the desired 'Blue Flag Beach' designation and felt dogs being on the sand/waterfront would affect Lake Ontario's water quality.

Due to the overwhelming response by Beach dog owners and the backing of dog owners all over the city, on October 15th, council agreed to allow dogs free-run on the beach, south of the snow fence, during the winter months (November 1st-March 31st).

Although City councillor Sandra Bussin (Beaches East-York) would like to take the praise for this compromise, I don't think it could have come about without backing from City Parks and Environment as well as every dog owner who attended meetings and gave deputations at council.

After all-Bussin was the one who pushed getting the dogs off the beach---only to do an about-face after her latest bad press due to her phone-in to a radio talk show--but I digress....that's a whole other story!

Dogs can now get more of the exercise they need. This is especially important in an urban setting. Dogs without proper exercise in a city can lead to alot of frustrated, leash-dominant dogs.

In the off-leash areas in the beach, people tend to stand around chatting while the dogs stick fairly close to their people.

On the waterfront, people tend to walk-usually a fair strip of the beachfront, enabling the dogs to get more exercise, still meeting other dogs along the way, so there's time for socialization too.

Who else is going to plod along, hip-high in snow on the beach in the worst storm, while our companions race around burrowing and rolling in snow up to their ears, chasing snowballs for whoever will toss them (I've never been too sure whether this performance is more for our benefit--after all, they take their talents very seriously-they rejoice in entertaining human beings).

Little dogs, big dogs, old dogs and puppies will all be having a happier, healthier winter thanks to the freedom the beach allows. If you're walking your dog with any regularity down on the beach during the winter months, you'll be healthier too! A little sore and stiff the first couple of times... but this too shall pass.

There's nothing like a walk along the beach with your companion...it's nourishment for the soul.

The Human Element

I enjoy walking along the waterfront-I love to take photos of the swans and geese, the sky, cloud formations, approaching weather, dogs playing, the ever-changing shoreline...the frailties of nature.

Dogs are not permitted on our beach--on or off-leash. There are signs posted, warning of hefty fines should the animal control officers who proudly patrol the boardwalk find you and/or your dog down at the waterfront--or anywhere on the sand...even if you're just being a responsible dog owner, allowing your friend the luxury of cooling off in the lake while lapping up some much-needed water during these dog days of summer.

Its the new 'Blue Flag Beach' designation...or perhaps city council is just using that as an excuse for yet another cash grab.

With another promised hot and muggy day in the forecast, we started our walk earlier than usual this morning, in hopes of taking advantage of what little breeze might be down at the waterfront. (yes, we were on the sand, yes, Journey was off-leash enjoying a swim and a drink!)

I took a look around at our precious Blue Flag Beach, that's far too pristine, far too people-user-friendly to ever consider allowing dogs on it on the off-chance an irresponsible owner might forgo cleaning up after their friend.

In absolute shock and disgust I leashed Journey up--the beach wasn't fit for my dog to be using-illegally or otherwise. No dog-owner would ever allow any property their dog frequented to fall into this state! Only the human influence was at work here.

I met three tourists, wandering along the beach, who'd stopped to admire Journey. They told me they were from Europe. I asked them if any of the beaches over there looked like this one...

They were quick to tell me 'never would one of our beaches over there look like this...people over there love the beaches'.

Perhaps dogs being on the beach should be the least of city council's worries--get those animal control officers who love to give out tickets to give them out to the real culprits and save our beach from the human element!!

Good Luck To You!

In the past month, on our daily walks through the neighbourhood, we've been meeting so many new puppies.

All owned by young couples, who've purchased their first starter homes in preparation for their future family. Along with that follows the prerequisite puppy.

It's heart-warming to watch the attention they devote to their new four-pawed baby as they teach it to walk on a leash, proudly introducing it to any passerby who comments on the cuteness scale of said new baby (puppy).

One couple who introduced me to their new charge explained they got the pup as practise before starting their human family.

Don't get a puppy unless you're ready to have a baby. That's my suggestion. The only difference is -a baby will grow up!

As far as care, time and energy expelled goes-there's not much difference.

There's the early morning and late night schedule, there's care during the day while you're at work. There's rousing yourself out of bed on what used to be those lazy-stay-in-bed Sunday mornings. Throwing on your hat, snow boots, gloves, jacket and scarf in under one minute and heading out in blizzard conditions cause 'baby' just has to go now (at least you can diaper a baby!!).

No more meeting with friends for a drink/dinner and a movie after work on Friday to celebrate another work week over. Nope-you'll be racing home hoping you can get there before much more damage can be done to the pups newest chew-toy-your leather sofa.

And what of the three-week vacation and family reunion plans? Which of your friends will be good enough to come and take up residence for the duration?

Or will you choose to kennel your baby? (which I never suggest) If so-which kennel? How much will the daily cost of kenneling cut into your poolside margarita allowance?

How will you choose the kennel? How does one choose who they can trust the care of their baby to without checking references?

What if baby is sick and needs medical attention to the tune of $2500.00? Or needs someone at home during the day for a week? He/she is not covered under your medical benefits (at least not the last time I checked).

There's a good reason to invest in pet insurance. Take heart though, insurance shouldn't cost more monthly than the drinks/dinner and movie you won't be enjoying anymore on a Friday night!

Not to forget the daily dog-walker you will need for the first year, until puppy has matured enough to be able to wait, legs crossed, for the moment you return home.

You can quickly change out of one of the few suits or dresses you have that aren't covered with dog hair and take baby out for some socializing (even though all you really feel like doing is slipping into a luxurious bubble bath or changing clothes and heading off for a quick game of tennis before turning on the BBQ.).

Nope-unless you're ready to have a baby...don't think getting a puppy is going to be any easier!

When all is said and done--your new sofa has been purchased and the carpeting has been replaced....when you realize you needed to buy a closet-full of new shoes and boots anyway...when years later, you look into your old friend's eyes as he/she gazes up at you with complete trust, as if you are the most wonderful person the world has ever known, you'll know all that work and devotion was worth it!

Good luck to all the brave people who choose to welcome a four-pawed baby into their busy lives!

Stick with it--it'll be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life!

An Indefensible Act

Early morning on the beach is wonderful!! The sun glistening on the water, heating up the sand.... a couple of miles of shoreline to run and play on-what dog could ask for more?

I try to get to the beach everyday, not just for my dog's sake but it's good for the soul. Balances me. I relax and appreciate the beauty nature has to offer. I enjoy this special time with my dog, while I laugh at her antics and appreciate her performances, whether it's clearing the shore of geese or chasing full-speed after imaginary prey, I am 'in the moment' with her.

As we shared time yesterday morning, strolling down the beach, I was brought back to reality when I heard someone calling. I looked up to see a police officer pointing at me, telling me to 'leave the area.'

I knew we weren't supposed to be on the beach since the by-law enforcers were ordered to start ticketing any dog owners who were on the sand earlier in the spring but they were on strike along with the CU PE 416 union here in Toronto.

I assumed I was about to get a ticket from a police officer but she wasn't coming toward me. She and another officer, along with two other people were huddled around a volleyball post. I kept walking but leashed my girl.

The officer called over to me again, telling me to 'walk the other way-get away from the area.'

I complied...slowly, readying my camera for what I wasn't sure.

We deeked around behind some bushes on the boardwalk and studied the situation more closely.

I saw they were surrounding two Akita/German Shepherd mixes.

These dogs were heavyweights. Well-muscled and frantic. They had hog poles around their necks and they were giving their captors a rough time.

After they secured the dogs in the Animal Service van, I approached them and asked what had happened.

Apparently, the dogs had been abandoned there-tied up on a foot of leash to a volleyball pole and left. They had been there quite awhile-perhaps even over-night--they were frightened, thirsty and hungry.

Our walk had taken a sour turn and as Journey and I made our way home, I wondered what kind of person-what situation would lead anyone to behave in such a heartless manner toward an animal who trusted them.

If these dogs were abandoned due to financial stress, any number of rescue clubs and services are always available with a phone call. Abandoning is an indefensible act!

I'll never get used to just how low some humans can stoop. Any lower and they can just slither along the ground with the lowly snake.

UPDATE on 'The Difference is in the Details' Post

Just an update on my post, 'The Difference is in the Details.'

I've received quite a few comments re this post and thought I'd share them in case some people are too busy to go in and open a google account to post or read thoughts/comments.

Some of the comments have come to me via email, some unfortunately I can't post as they are far too descriptive as to what they would do to this breeder. I wouldn't feel right sullying my blog with some of those words. (Although I agree with the writers' thoughts and ideas!)

This poor dog, unfortunately, due to the ignorance of the person who bought it, has been returned to the same puppy miller!!!

When you add to this puppy farmer, a broker interested only in the dollars and a person gullible enough to put money into their hands, it's always and only the dog who suffers.


This poor dog didn't have a chance from day one, being brought into the world by someone who looks at this beautiful, majestic and most noble breed as nothing more than a commodity.

Here are the comments:

***Yes. This guy is Dale Tucker of Danefleet.He is a sick and demented man who harasses women as well.***

***Excellent article on "Dale"***

***It makes me so sick .I just wish that someone will actually do something this time***

***With the copy at the bottom of the picture, this picture would surely win an award. Good stuff!***

***Well said, Deborah! As always, I admire your fearlessness to tell it like it is.....***

***Great Job Deborah. Sad to see...Another famous place to obtain these poor dogs is the pet store... ***

***He shouldn't even be allowed to own dogs. Good for you for finally exposing him for what he is.***

I will be updating on any and all news to do with this case. when I get info.

Loose Wires

When I opened my front door this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a brand new dog toy laying on the mat.

Some well-meaning person had purchased a rope toy for my girl, or 'the beast' as she is affectionately known around the neighbourhood. It's not the first time I've received gifts for my dogs in this manner-left by a friend or neighbour as they've passed by.

A ball with a braided rope attached to it-made for a medium-sized dog. It's difficult for folks who are unfamiliar with the giants to gauge the size of toy or bones a Great Dane can safely play with. What a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd owner refers to as a large bone or large toy can become something too small and unsafe for the enormous mouths of a giant breed.

This gift wasn't in a bag or the manufacturer's wrapping, which didn't concern me as most of the dog toys at the local pet stores hang on display on pegs. The person who performed this act of kindness had carefully cut off the tags, readying it for my girl to enjoy.

I offered the new treasure to Journey as she lay patiently on her bed waiting for me to finish getting ready for our morning walk. She was delighted and started to inspect it immediately.

Five minutes later I was ready to leave. I waited at the door with leash in hand and she appeared, still holding her new treasure in her mouth. I agreed to take it with us but when I pulled it from her mouth, I saw traces of blood on the rope.

Then I noticed blood seeping from a little cut at the corner of her lip.

Dropping my girl's leash, I knelt down to check her over. Once I determined the cut was minor (it was a long way from her heart!), I hurried into the kitchen to examine the source of the problem--the ball-on-a-rope toy.

Needless to say, Journey was now concerned with why I was 'playing' with her toy in the kitchen, while she stood at the door with leash on, waiting to go out.

The tennis ball was connected to the braided rope by two pieces of fine metal wire. Very shabby workmanship. (sure hope this manufacturer isn't making baby toys too!!) The wires weren't even embedded in the rope, they were wrapped around it and hidden by electrical tape wound around them.

I was able to remove what was left of the electrical tape easily with my hands-as well as pull the wires from around the rope.

By now, Journey was studying me with concern, wondering why I was 'ruining' her perfectly good (albeit dangerous) treasure.

All was not lost as I grabbed the rope part and we were off on our walk. (I, sporting a few more white hairs!)

She would get to play with part of her new toy.

I checked with the two local pet shops in our area and it was with great relief I found neither sell this particular brand of rope toy.

I can only assume it comes from a dollar store. I will ferret out the manufacturer of this dangerous piece of garbage and have a conversation with them.

Had the wire loosened while Journey chewed on the toy...had she swallowed it, I'm not sure surgery would have been enough to save her, had she not choked on it, it surely would have punctured an artery or some organ.

Take the time to check every toy carefully. Don't just assume because a pet store sells it, it's safe and please don't purchase any toys from dollar stores.

We were fortunate--this story could have had a very different ending!

The Difference is in the Details

So--I receive an email with images of a starving, sickly, scared and badly scarred Great Dane. I (and everyone else who was sent these pics) am appalled at the state this poor dog is in. I'm informed the 'breeder' of this dog is under investigation by one of the SPCA's.

Unfortunately, I'm all too familiar with the breeder (and I use the term here very loosely!). Many of us, who truely love the breed and work toward breeding healthier Danes with greater longevity--that is-not just for profit, have been concerned with this person's lack of ethics and knowledge for some years now.

He breeds Great Danes in the Wainfleet, Ontario area.

Sometimes the line between a reputable breeder and a puppy miller appears to be a fine one. Murky gray as opposed to crisp black and white.

By definition, a puppy mill is a large-scale breeding operation that produces large numbers of puppies for profit. The owners are many times unconcerned with health checks or breeding their 'best' animals-more often than not they don't do any health checks and they breed any animal of breeding age, not once or twice in it's lifetime but every time it comes into season throughout the animals life until, in the dog's twilight years, no longer able to produce puppies, it's simply 'disposed of' with no more thought given it than disposing of an old, bald tire.

These vermin give no thought to the animal's well-being, only their own profit. They are unethical in every sense of the word.

Most puppy millers don't go to the added expense of registering their litters and individual pups with the governing organization for purebred dog registry's...here in Canada, it's the Canadian Kennel Club (each country has it's own national registry).

This man does register his puppies, last time anyone checked....but that's about the extent of his care (after all a registered dog brings a better dollar!).

He also uses a broker...

A broker is a person in the world of breeding, who mediates between a buyer and a seller--the middleman, who is paid a percentage of the profit from a sale. A breeder employs a broker when they need a party to hide behind--for various reasons.

Their interest is purely financial, as is the interest of the breeder using them.

What ethical breeder wouldn't belong to a provincial breed club or the National breed club of their chosen breed?

This man, (who was mentored by a woman who was also a puppy miller-who showed no compassion to the poor dogs and would joke about abusing them!) is persona non gratis in both of the clubs representing Great Danes here in Ontario!!

What ethical breeder would out-source the selling of their puppies?? What breeder worth their salt would not want to represent themselves, meet potential puppy owners and personally check references??

This person who doesn't care about where his dogs end up-doesn't give them another thought after the money has changed hands, has no business referring to himself as a 'breeder.'

Unfortunately, he is not the only person in our breed who is guilty of these practices. He is one we know though and we can only hope Revenue Canada and the SPCA investigations will bare fruit.

We are onto him-and will spread the word whenever, however we can. It certainly is 'buyer beware' where his Great Dane care and management is concerned! If you're looking for a Great Dane, do yourself a favour--stay away from a broker in the Hamilton area and a breeder in the Wainfleet area.

It's Your Responsibility

As we make our way over to the off-leash area, I do a quick check to see which dogs are in the enclosure.

There are three dogs at this end of the fenced-in area. One is conscious of our approach-a small mixed breed (I like to call them-Canadian Classics). He has approached the fence and is running back and forth barking at us. It's a contagious energy, as the other two-medium-sized dogs, who've now been alerted to a situation, are dutifully following behind the self-proclaimed leader of the pack, wondering what all the fuss is about.

I'm surprised Mighty-Mutt's owner isn't concerned with all the vocalizing and fence-aggression the dog's displaying but then I realize-the owner probably isn't aware there's anything wrong with this kind of 'welcome.'

The three dogs have gathered at the gate. Before I open the door, I tell them all to sit. The medium-sized dogs comply-the smaller one is in quite a frenzied state, frantic to be the first one to get acquainted with my girl. I wait.

This shouldn't be my responsibility! The owner of the dog is watching from a distance, still in conversation with the other dog owners...he half-heartedly calls the dog once, then returns to the conversation.

Some fancy footwork is necessary as I squeeze through the gate to ensure the little dog doesn't escape. I then invite my girl in.

Journey respectfully stands still, head held high, tail in a playful greeting, until the dogs have made their introductions.

A play-stance from the beagle and three of them are off--chasing, dodging one another and whipping around the bushes. Not Mighty Mutt though...

He is now chasing at my girl's heels, nipping and just generally being obnoxious-the pack is out of control in his opinion. He's striving for dominance. The others are paying him no attention.

Two times during play, Journey has stopped, turned to the little dog and told him to 'back off' by way of a growl. ( 'Can't you see I'm playing, I'm not interested in your energy, leave my hocks alone!!'). He's not deterred.

Before it escalates any further, I step in and leash my dog and we leave the immediate area. I look back and see the two medium-sized dogs playing while Mighty Mutt continues to bark us away.

I could have stayed and let the scene play itself out but instead, as pack leader, I chose not to allow a confrontation. Why the other owners were not hands-on in this mini-drama, I don't know. I do know there are far too many owners who aren't in-tune with their dogs, especially in a social setting where multiple personalities (both canine and human) are at play.

If you see your dog displaying anti-social behavior it's your responsibility to rein him in. Don't leave it for another owner to deal with. Don't call it 'cute' and please don't make excuses for the behavior!

Teach your dog! Know your dog!!

Meet & Greet

Can it be some owners have no idea how to read the four-footed companion they share their homes with...?

When I'm out on a walk with my girl, I try to exhibit proper dog-walking etiquette--when there is an unfamiliar dog and owner approaching us, I ask if the dog is friendly (safe for my girl to approach) especially when I see body language being exhibited that would lead me to believe otherwise.

The responses vary. "Probably" or "He/she should be alright", are common answers.

Not good enough--sorry!

As an urban dog owner, proper walking etiquette is your responsibility. Your dog has obviously been approached before by a passing dog while out on a walk. If you don't know how your dog is going to react on (or off) leash to greeting another one, then you are not walking your dog enough or you aren't bothering to interpret the signs your dog is sending out....

When dogs who are unfamiliar with one another meet, there is a standard, international, canine conversation that takes place. Although it's not our language, their message should come across to both dog and owner loud and clear. They use body language.

There are distinct signals from both sides. A dog who approaches with a stiff gait, tail up and wagging slowly and stiffly-or not wagging at all, ears erect, ruff up, making himself larger than he is, staring directly into the other dog's eyes ( with intent) is not necessarily welcoming the other into his social circle.

If the other dog displays the expected 'response' to this affront--submissive, making-myself-appear-as-small-as-I-can, tail tucked, in a crouching walk, head turned to one side, eyes downward, ears lowered, depending on the other's temperament, he should be fine.

Unless the dog who appears to be the dominant is really a wanna-be dominant. He's still climbing the ladder and he has something to prove.

A true dominant will very rarely start a fight-they don't need to-their very presence and energy demands respect. They may discipline a dog...but not fight with it. It's below their station in life, unless goaded into it.

If it's a true dominant, then the respect shown is enough...he got his point across and will then find out more about the dog by sniffing his parts. The submissive dog may squirm a little but will attempt to stay as still as possible until the dominant has finished his once-over. Sometimes a dominant will allow the other dog to check him out-but not necessarily.

The dominant will then proudly (and slowly) strut off from his 'conquest', tail held high until out of reach, (never glancing back) at which time he may 'lower the flag' until he sights another dog.

When two dogs meet who are equals, there is a mutual acceptance and admiration. There's the doggy dance-the two-step, where leashes get tangled as they greet each other, circling and sniffing-both dogs tails wagging, even with their back or lower, ears back, mouths parted in a relaxed grin.

There's the very submissive dog who, when approached by any dog, will drop its head as low as it can, sit and be very still, or crouch and maybe urinate. It may drop and roll over onto its back, exposing its neck and stomach area, tail wagging very close to its body, seemingly pleading with the other dog to do it no harm. Many times a young pup will exhibit this same behavior.

When this submissive type is 'released' from the dominant one's examination, some of them are so thrilled no harm came to them, they rejoice by jumping up at the other dog and licking at its mouth area, with a lot of flourish...out of respect and in thanks for being spared.

My girl has an approach to on-coming dogs I've never experienced before. As soon as she observes a dog who will ultimately be passing us, she stops abruptly in her tracks. Head held high, she lifts her tail and wags it, at the same time averting her eyes from the dog by turning her head to the side, as if studying the surrounding scenery. I can coax her along to no avail. She remains rooted to that one spot until the dog has completed his exam and only then will she express any interest in furthering the 'meet and greet.' Very respectful!

So before the tugging on the leash and out-of-control-behavior takes over, there is always subtle body language displayed. Being familiar with these basic signals will allow you time to redirect the energy or dominate the situation before it becomes full-blown and out of hand.

My next post I'll be continuing with body language--what is acceptable after their initial introductions, signals they send to other dogs while playing and the boundaries we should set for them in a play situation.

Woofstock 2009

With soaring summer temperatures and sunny skies, friends from out of town, along with their giant-sized dog, travelled downtown with me to experience Woofstock--touted by its organizers as the largest outdoor dog festival in North America....'A festival for dogs!'


This 'celebration' for our beloved canines takes place in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. Front Street, a four-lane boulevard from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street and from Market Street South to The Esplanade is closed off to vehicular traffic. That's about six blocks of concrete and store-front sidewalk in the center of downtown Toronto. Line those streets with two hundred vendor booths, over 150,000 people and half as many dogs and you have a marketer's dream.


There were dogs whose coats had been dyed pink, dogs whose feet never touched the ground being carried around in pet carriers, dogs with muzzles on, dogs wearing jogging suits, boas, sun bonnets, running shoes, sun dresses and fancy baubles around their necks.


There were dogs being led around from one booth to the next with a look of total confusion in their eyes. There were dogs who were both over-heated and exhausted. Some just falling asleep at curbside, others panting--searching for that familiar yet elusive plot of grass or tree trunk to relieve themselves on.





There were dogs who were entered in a variety of contests--waiting dutifully in line along with their owner for up to an hour to show off their unusual trick or their best howl.

I didn't get around to 'The Ugliest Dog Contest' and hope the line-up to enter that was a very short one!

There were dogs refusing to mount the stairs to the main stage event-Mr. & Mrs. Canine Canada Pageant, (despite the owners' best efforts) where the dogs were introduced by a squealing MC amid too much fanfare and cheering (and please turn that microphone down, remembering the contestants' sensitive hearing).


One particularly unsettling sight for me was the Petopia On-Site Doggy Daycare. You could bring your companion to the festival and leave it with an unknown care-giver in a giant cage while you shopped. This was not designed with a dog's comfort in mind. There were about seven or eight dogs in the area when I passed by. Two of the dogs (Great Danes) were fortunate enough to have secured a spot on a small, matted area--which was the only shaded space in the pet-care center--the rest of it in full sun. The other dogs were wandering back and forth on the heated pavement, awaiting their owners' return. NOT a service where any dog lover worth their kibble would park their dog!


The Wine and Beer Garden on site invited us to 'bring your dog in at any time.' I'm as much a fan of mixing alcohol and dogs as I am of imbibing while caring for children so we skipped that offer!





The booths and tents, if you could get close enough to them without tripping on the dogs who were allowed to walk (as opposed to being shuffled along in doggy carriages or strapped to their owner's chest in a doggy-carrier) offered everything imaginable to the canine consumer. There was also the unimaginable.


One product I'm still in a quandry over, is the scoop cup. It's a cardboard cup (much the same as french fries are served in) in which you place a plastic bag. You can then pick up your dogs poop without having to feel it through the bag. Pull the bag out, dispose of it, load another one into the container and you're ready for your next poop 'n scoop session. The folks who were demonstrating this invention were having such a difficult time of it that I had to state the obvious--why make it more involving than it is?? KISS (keep it simple, stupid) implies here!


Let's get it straight--this celebration is not for the dogs. If it was for the dogs, it would be held on some grassy expanse, where there's a breeze blowing and plenty of trees to sniff and lift a leg up against. It would be held at a more appropriate time of year-perhaps earlier in the spring or in late September/mid-October, when the sun and air-quality are friendlier.



It would have a pond where dogs could cool off in, instead of a concrete fountain that is full of soapy bubbles of unknown origin!


The booths would be spaced so neither the owner nor the companion got their paws stepped on.

As it is now, it's a field of dreams for marketers. A feeding frenzy for the consumer.

It's a travesty to advertise it as otherwise.

Slobberfest 2009

Last Saturday we celebrated our Beach version of the annual Woofstock-the largest outdoor dog festival in North America.

Our canine community celebrates Slobberfest. This dog-day afternoon is presented by Center 55, our local community center. It's a fund-raiser in support of the many excellent services they offer for children, seniors and families.

The first year I attended this gathering, it was held in Kew Park. In my opinion, a venue better suited to this celebration.

Now, for the second year, it's held parallel to the boardwalk, on the grassy area in front of the old boathouse, also referred to by some as the open-air building. The only pro I can think of for using this space is the accessibility to the off-leash area, directly across the boardwalk.

Journey and I headed down to the site with a friend who'd made her way into Toronto along with her very large-sized dog Walter, to experience the festivities.

A block from our destination, we could hear music in the air-some 60's or 70's tunes blasting from the general direction in which we were heading.

Upon arriving, I noticed the DJ/MC had set up his impressive sound equipment under the shelter of the boathouse, while the booths-about ten of them, were scattered out front along the grass. I had to raise my voice an octave or two to be heard above the music and was wondering about the comfort level of the dogs.

As a responsible dog owner, I appraoched the DJ, and asked if he might consider turning down the volume, explaining a dogs sense of hearing is ten times more acute than a humans. (shouldn't he have been aware of this??)

My friend from out of town commented on the lack of room on the walkway from the boardwalk to the boathouse-the center of the action, where the contests were being held-it was far too narrow. Flanked on either side by booths and tables, there was not room enough for people and dog traffic.

I remember the first year I attended Slobberfest in Kew Park, approaching the organizers with my concerns about their choices of the various contests. I see my concerns fell on deaf ears--

The 'Hot Dog Eating Contest' has dogs bobbing for hot dogs out of a bucket...who can eat the most hot dogs in a given time frame-I think it's a minute.

Does anyone really want to cheer their dog on, under the pressure of a stopwatch, to ingest nitrates, dyes and high sodium in copious amounts?? Great fun I suppose, if your dog is used to eating crap.

I reiterate---with all the quality, natural choices on the canine market, could the organizers not have considered another option? Unconscionable and indefensible.

If that's not enough to make any healthy dog (and any responsible owner) ill, there's the 'Canine Ice Cream Eating Contest.'

All these contests are held in the shade of the boathouse-however the floor is concrete. Why, with so many shade trees couldn't the revelry be held on a grassy area adjacent to the boathouse??

Why can't the organizers get together with doggy people (because they certainly don't seem to be!) and come up with healthier, more challenging contests??

Relay races, hide-and-seek-an-item, fastest response to a given command...are just a few that come to my mind...but come on--chowing down on hot dogs?!

Time for the organizers to give their tails a shake and spend some time and put a little more thought into the planning of this celebration. Perhaps a 'suggestion box?' I'm sure there would be a few good ones to chew on!