*Note: even if it rains, we’ll still be doing the portraits! Liz will just be inside the store instead of under the tent so still come out!!*

BARKin’ Westboro Awoofs at Westfest!
Bark & Fitz outdoor booth
June 11th & 12th, 2011

Join photographer Liz Bradley in our red carpet area for the Best Dog Awoofs. You decide what your dog is best at and find a movie, series or tv show that he/she can star in. We will have a press wall, trophy and accessories for your dog as he/she receives the award & goody bag.

Here are some sample Awoofs
Shiraz: Best Howling in Home Alone
Stella Artois: Best Begging in Guess who’s Coming to Dinner
Wellington: Best scoot out the front door in Escape from Alcatraz
Paddington: Best Jump & Fly in Superman the movie

The $20 fee includes a donation to B.A.R.K. rescue, a finished digital print of the ceremony, a nail clip for your dog (or coupon to redeem at a later date), a ‘thanks for donating doggy bag’ and a raffle ticket for a chance to win awesome prizes from Ottawa Dog Blog, Elizabeth&Jane Photography and Bark & Fitz Westboro.

Hope to see you there!
See Stella’s poster when you read more. Continue reading →

It feels like it’s been forever since my 2 month (8 week) update on life with Wellie. It’s been a very busy few weeks and I have lots to report.

I was really hoping that by now we could happily report that Wellie was housetrained…but sadly it isn’t so. Wellie is still having accidents inside and has also now decided that our back lawn is extremely scary and won’t walk on it which makes housetraining all that much more difficult. She darts around the yard and sticks to the edges, or worse, does her business ON the deck. I am beginning to get nervous that her “scared-y-cat” phase has kicked in and we might be at this for a while. Corduroy had the same thing happen at around 13 months – but hers was a reaction to loud noises (especially the evil vacuum cleaner and stove fan). Wellie is 18 months now but I’ve heard the “scared-y-cat” issue can happen anytime up until the dog is two. Have any of you experienced this phase where they get afraid of things that never bothered them before? The grass never did anything to her! haha. Although it looks like we may have had a breakthrough this afternoon – she walked on the grass without much hesitation. Cross your fingers for us!

Since we are still having issues with house-training, we are trying to be diligent about sticking to a schedule. With the yard fear, Wellie has been taking ages to go poo in the mornings and has made me late for work on several occasions because we are out there for upwards of 30 minutes. Yesterday I got really mad at how long she was taking and decided that for the time being, every morning I will put her harness and leash on and give her 10 minutes to go. If she doesn’t go in that 10 minutes, we’ll come inside, have breakfast and go out to try for another 10 minutes. I don’t want her to think that she has 40 minutes to do her business in the mornings – it’s just not feasible. This morning was the first attempt at this and it went really well! She did both pee and poo in 10 minutes! Good girl! We shall see if she is still as good when it’s raining out – she still hates the rain.

Continue reading →

We had a great turnout for our Bad Dog Mug Shot promotion at Westfest this year. You helped us raise over $1000 for BARK Rescue!!

1st place: Anne Marie and her doodle, Maisie
Treat your dog! gift basket & 40% off next groom at Bark & Fitz in Westboro!

2nd place: Sally and her pug puppy, Gus
Treat your dog! gift bag & $10 off next food purchase at Bark & Fitz in Westboro!

3rd place: Frances and her Jack Russell, Henry
Treat your dog! gift bag & $10 off next food purchase at Bark & Fitz in Westboro!

A big thank you from Bark & Fitz Ottawa and Ottawa Dog Blog for supporting BARK rescue.

Westfest 2009 was a great success! Ottawa Dog Blog teamed up with Bark & Fitz Westboro and elizabeth&jane photography to do a fun and cheeky fundraiser for BARK Rescue. Thanks to everyone who participated, we were able to raise $550 for the organization! View the Bad Dog Mug Shot Gallery here.

The reasons for the bad dogs being booked are below:

Saturday

1. Corduroy – for chewing up my favourite DVD!
2. Kuma and Bandit – for chasing every dog possible!!!
3. Charlie – for ripping up the carpet through the dog fence
4. Cocochilla – she’s under arrest for being so cute!
5. Albert – there isn’t enough space!
6. Olive – for stealing people’s hearts Continue reading →

Every dog is a good dog…and every dog is a bad dog! Why not capture that naughty side of your beloved four legged friend to remember and laugh about the time she ate your orthotic shoe insert (Corduroy!), or the time she got into your recipes and chewed them all up (Paddington!). I am sure we all have stories!

The Bad Dog Mug Shot photo shoot will be taking place during the Westfest Weekend on Saturday June 13th and Sunday June 14th outside of Bark and Fitz on Richmond Road. Photos are $15 with proceeds going to BARK Rescue!

Continue reading →

Pooch Parade for B.A.R.K.

Saturday June 14th, dress up your dogs or decorate their leash and walk proud with a pack of dogs and their families who care about the fate of a rescued animal. A $2 participation fee is donated to B.A.R.K. and gives you a raffle ticket for a chance to win fabulous prizes!

The BARK & FITZ pack will walk in support of B.A.R.K. Rescue and generate funds to help cover some of the costs involved when rescuing an injured or sick animal. With any donation to B.A.R.K. during Westfest, you will receive a FREE BARK & FITZ Sampler Pack with BARK & FITZ treats, discount postcard and our spring/summer newsletter.

Everyone will gather in front of the outdoor shelter canopy (on the street in front of the store) at 11:30 and Duke the Great Dane will lead the Pooch Parade for B.A.R.K. The walk will take everyone down to Maple Lawn Gardens and pause for a few minutes to take pictures before heading back to Westfest to take in the festivities.

Pooch Parade: 12 noon Saturday June 14th RAIN or SHINE!

As always, please remember to poop and scoop.

In-Store Art Displays

Saturday June 14th and Sunday June 15th
With Westfest being an arts festival, BARK & FITZ Westboro will be featuring the work of Urban Dog Photog, Sue Bird and Doodledogpaintings, Kellie Burns.

Outside the store will have a water station set up along with activities and a rest stop for you AND your dog.

Nail Clipping for Charity

Between 10am and 4pm under the tent, BARK & FITZ groomers will be offering $5 nail clips and $10 pawdicures (for pooches who need an extra bit of trimming around their paws). All proceeds going to B.A.R.K. rescue.