I don’t know about you, but with the holidays right around the corner, I want to make sure I have something under the tree for Paddington and Corduroy. Usually I like to get them something a little special, something more than treats. …wrapping treats and putting them under the tree is a whole other story involving dogs’ keen sense of smell and the unwrapping of said gift before the big day…

I’ve mentioned before how I really like to shop local, and if not local, shop Canadian. Well imagine my excitement when I found out that I could get something unique for the puppies for the holidays AND it was made in Ottawa (Kanata to be exact), well let’s just say there was some “woot woot-ing”.

iStyle Originals is an Ottawa company that makes really funny and cute shirts for not only dogs, but adults, babies and accessories as well! You can buy right from their website and shipping is a flat rate of $4.99 for anywhere in North America and takes 1 to 5 days, but currently shipping is free till Dec. 15th!!. Order by December 15th to ensure Christmas delivery. (ps. look to the bottom of the post for a 25% off coupon!!)

The shirts are 100% cotton and are very well made. The saying is screen printed in white on the black shirts and it even comes in a humorous “software” box with operating instructions inside. It’s awesome.

There are six different dog shirt sayings to choose from. I love all of the sayings but we chose iPaw’d for Corduroy and iBark for Paddington.

Corduroy got the iPaw’d one because she LOVES to be constantly petted and if you stops, she literally paws at you until you start again.

Paddington got the iBark because well, she IS a Yorkie so I guess it comes with the territory (her territory of course – squirrels beware!).

The shirts fit true to size and look very sleek on the dogs. They were a bit snug around the “arms” but they will loosen up with wear.

Paddy and Cordy give iStyle Originals Doggiewear two paws up!

BONUS!! The fantastic people at iStyle Originals have given me a coupon code for 25% off for all Ottawa Dog Blog readers!! This can be entered at the checkout page on the website. The code to be used is “istyleblogger”.

Editor’s note: Tara and I have been friends for what seems like forever. We met while working together at a music store and even though many miles separate us now, we keep in touch over email and facebook. When I read this story, I knew I had to share it with you. I’ve been following Tara’s adventures into dog parenthood and I think this is just a wonderful “tail”. (hehe) ~ Liz

A few months ago, Gabe and I decided it would be a useful and thoughtful use of our time to walk dogs at the animal shelter. Truly we were egged on by the fact that his mother was prodding that we do so out of the goodness of our hearts. So one day we suited up and drove to the humane society doorstep. I openly admitted that I never dog walked for the shelter before because I knew full well that if I did, it would end with me being the proud owner of 100 dogs.

I spoke too soon.

I may not own 100 dogs at this point in time, but I sure do own one little beautiful creature named Savannah. She was one of the first faces we saw that day, peering out the window of a solitary confinement room. She’d been brought in by bylaw, no history, just a sweet tan and blond face and a sunny disposition. She shoved her nose at the window and hopped up wanting to greet us. She tossed around a little football squeaker toy to her heart’s content. She made us fall in love.

Fast forward a few weeks – we’d gone back to the shelter time and time again, reciting the redundant refrain of “is Savannah out of isolation?” until finally one day she was out. I remember the first time I walked her she’d only been out in a kennel for a few hours… you could tell all her time alone had led to bottled up energy. She loved people, dogs, the sky, the ground — everything. She gazed up at you while you walked her, as though checking to see if she was doing alright by your standards. She pranced along the street and bounced through the grass like a little blond bunny…

After many conversations, balancing the pros and cons, long walks around the shelter’s industrial area environment and weighing the possibility, Gabe and I adopted her. I took her for a 30 minute walk and by the time I returned, the papers were signed and we were to pick her up the next evening.

Immediately we went and packed our lives with dog food, rawhides, squeaky and non-squeaky toys, blankets and a little black kennel for the end of the bed. It was all for the new member of the family – a 7 month old, mixed breed beauty… scratch that; OUR 7 month old, mixed breed beauty. She excitedly jumped into the car with a cone still fastened to her collar… she explored the house with vigor and quickly realized she was home.

It’s been over a month now and she’s the most amazing thing to come home to…. always happy, loving, adorable, hilarious, yet sometimes a headache, of course. Every time I look at her I’m so overjoyed that we saved her and can walk her every single day now. Her adoration for the snow keeps the winter months bearable and her adoration for us makes it hard to imagine life without her.

Tara McCarthy is a freelance writer, journalist and CBC Radio personality living in Whitehorse, YT.

With everyone being buried by snow on Wednesday, I am sure your dogs are having all sorts of reactions to the fluffy white stuff. My dogs enjoy the snow, Corduroy especially! She hops around like a little bunny and dives into the deepest snow she can find. It is one of the reasons why I like the snow (there are very few reasons!!).

How do your dogs like the snow? Love it? Hate it? Couldn’t be bothered either way?

buy unique gifts at Zazzle

I have had an Ottawa Dog Blog store on Zazzle for almost a year now, but never really promoted it because the shipping costs were atrocious and I got hit with major customs fees when I ordered. The great news is that Zazzle has now launched a Canadian division, Zazzle.ca and they are having a promotion of FREE shipping! Just punch in the code: FREESHIPTOCA

The Zazzle store is great because it is where I was able to design some pretty amazing Ottawa Dog Blog Keds Shoes!

Check out the Ottawa Dog Blog Store here!

A little while ago I published an article on the Bark Machine and Dog Tricks application for iPhone and iPod Touch.

I just got word that the application is FREE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH!! So if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, check it out through the app store!

Continue reading →

Vote for Ottawa Shelters and Rescues in this online contest. They could win up to $10,000!!