Best of Ottawa 2020: Places for pets

 ?After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this weekly series, we share our picks with you — our top hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more. Check, share and discuss

PureBites donates $500,000 of pet treats during COVID-19

 The bond between people and pets has grown stronger than ever. Having your pet by your side is not only great companionship but supports mental health too. It’s important to ensure that pets are cared for and nourished with healthy treats and food. PureBites®, a leading Canadian natural pet food company, has

Saving Those With No Voice: How One Organization is Saving the Lives of Thousands

 Photos by Isabel Payne. Since before I could remember I’ve always had space in my heart for animals, with the biggest space reserved specifically for dogs. Having spent many of my childhood summers visiting family in Thailand, it always broke my heart to see so many dogs and cats living

New Ottawa Initiative Helps Families and Pets Stick Together

 There’s a new non-profit in Ottawa that’s dedicated to helping both pets and their humans stick together through tough times. Launched in early January 2016, the Ottawa Paw Pantry is a not-for-profit committed to helping qualifying families and individuals facing tough financial times by providing them with temporary food assistance

Rex, Pugs and Rock & Roll

 Photos supplied by Rock and Rescue Local musician Andrea Valois has two passions, music and dogs, and when you put them together the result is a rock concert that is truly bad to the bone.  Modeled after a similar event in Los Angeles, Rock and Rescue Ottawa was put together

Gorgeous Glasses for Vision and Adorable Dogs

 Photo credit: Patrice Alsteen  On September 24th the Merivale Optometric Centre is hosting the ultimate win-win event. During their second annual ladies night, they’re offering exclusive discounts on all glasses & sunglasses, and each sale will raise money for cute, and incredibly important, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Aside

Get Outdoors: Mont Tremblant

 As kids skiing in Québec, my friends and I heard tales of the legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen, who was instrumental in cutting trails in the Laurentians. Even though he was quite elderly, we had hoped to sneak a peek of him gliding through the forest. We never saw him, but his

Why Canadian Medicare Should Neither ‘Go Dutch’ or ‘to the Dogs’

 Canada’s health care system faced some provocative comparisons recently. First was Sarah Boston’s new book, Lucky Dog, in which she details her personal experience with thyroid cancer and navigating the Canadian health system. Boston, a veterinary oncologist, claims Canadian dogs often have better access to health care than their human

Fight Cruelty Against Animals with Cupcakes

 Individually wrapped cake confections, also known as cupcakes, are more than just sugary treats. They have the ability to make a difference in the fight to end cruelty against animals. For the first time, the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is joining forces with more than 86 SPCA and Humane Societies

The Ottawa Pet Expo – The FIRST-EVER Ottawa festival for pets and their owners

 Ottawa-Gatineau pet lovers unite to celebrate their love of pets on November 10 and 11 at the CE Centre. The Ottawa Pet Expo, in support of the Ottawa Humane Society, welcomes your whole family to the show, including four-legged family members. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a weekend with your pets!