This past Saturday, Wellie and I had the chance to go walking with Birch Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation‘s giant breed dogs (and honorary giant breed dogs). Wellie, was deemed one of the latter and it was a great experience for her to get out there and squander her fear of large breed dogs – and she did so well!

The walks happen on about a monthly basis (dependant on the weather) and move around to different parks each time so that you get to enjoy all that our beautiful city has to offer. This walk was at Conroy Pit Park and despite the heat, everyone had a great time. It’s also a great chance for some of the rescue dogs at the Birchhaven centre to get out and walk. On Saturday, Lincoln, a beautiful rescued St. Bernard, came out for his first group walk and did so well.

The walks are free and are open to anyone who would like to participate. From Gwen, BHRR‘s founder:

The walks are approximately every 6 weeks. The next one is Sunday September 18th. We switch up locales all across the Ottawa and surrounding area including Orleans, Kanata and even Kemptville.

This originally started off as a BHRR Great Dane Walk/Hike and moved to a GD & Other Giant Breed Walk/Hike and is now a BHRR GD & Honourary Great Dane Walk/Hike. Our smallest member is Toby, a dappled Doxie and our oldest is Jingles, a 19 year old Beagle that is blind/deaf. We have Pom/Chis mixes that come and all sizes in between. THE only thing that I require for people to join is that they:

1. Must be a responsible dog owner – dog is to have manners, training and socialised – we have had these walks for over 15+ years and NEVER have we had an incident within the group. Only some outside incidents when irresponsible dog owners outside the group have not been accountable for their dogs actions.
2. Be like minded when it comes to dog ownership – ONLY supporting reputable/quality Breeders and Rescues
3. Believe in spaying/neutering
4. Be responsible and courtesy on the walks/hikes to other members of the group and the public
5. Be mindful of their dog so that they have enough water, pick up after their pet etc.
6. BE prepared to have a BLAST

We are a member list of 125 members and our walks can have as little as 6 or as many as over 40 at times!

To join, please email Gwen here, and have yourself added to the list. Continue reading →

Photographed by the amazing Sue Bird, it’s up to you to decide the top 12 paw~mates for the 2010 Calendar to raise funds for Birch Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation!! Visit Global Pet Foods Kanata to log your vote and help decide the top Paw~Mates (or guinee pigs) for the calendar.

Make sure you are in line to pre-order your copy of the 2010 calendars, they are going to go fast. Calendars are $15, send Karla or Shawn an e-mail at info@globalpetfoodskanata.ca, better visit the new store and pre-order in person! Once you log your vote you will be directed to Calendar gallery of images with a password that will go live once voting is done. You only have until Monday Nov 23rd at 10 am to get your votes in!

All proceeds from the calendar sales are going to Birch Haven Rescue. Let’s make this an incredible pre-christmas stocking stuffer fundraiser for this great local rescue group who make an wonderful difference in many animals’ lives.

Get your tickets soon as they are almost all sold out!

*Note: I attended this event last year and had a GREAT time!! We are going again this year and are very much looking forward to it!* ~ Liz

Sent in by a reader, Kaitlyn

Local shelter, Birch Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation, which specializes in the rescue and care of giant breed dogs (mostly great danes) has begun a grim count down of the number of days worth of food they have left. Right now they are down to only 9 days left. They are desperately in need of donations of both food and money.

As of May 5th, we ONLY have 3 bags of dog food left; that will last us about 9 days~from the Birch Haven Website

Because of this, my friends, family and I (I am a local college student) have started a sort of food drive called ‘Five 4 Food;. We are asking people in the community to donate $5 (or however much they can and want to give) to Birch Haven.

If you are interested in donating to this cause, please write donation checks out to the name of ‘Kanata Animal Hospital’ and ensure that c/o Gwen Boers/BHRR is in the ‘memo’ section of your check. Please mail your checks to:

Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwen Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
CANADA
K0G 1T0

(613) 836-2848 – You can also pay by Visa, AMEX or M/C over the phone to Kanata Animal Hospital.

Continue reading →