Making Pawprints

Winter 2008/2009 Newsletter

It’s that time of year again! We know the walkers and clients alike look forward to the annual awards, and the submissions from the walkers this year made for some tough competition! We hope you enjoy reading what the walkers think of some of the doggies and if your pup didn’t win this year, we still love them just as much, so cross your fingers for next year! Enjoy!

The Golden Fire Hydrant

Dog of the Year Awards

CATEGORY: SEXIEST MALE CATEGORY: SEXIEST FEMALE Nominees: Angus O’Connell (Great Dane), Baxter McPhail (Rhodesian Ridgeback), Dempsey Dimeck (English Bulldog), Diesel McCarthy-Kerbel (ShiPoo), Gus Waddell (Lab mix), Jack Hawkins (Black Lab), Max Moran (Boxer), Oscar Buckland-Vali (GoldenDoodle), Rusty Clough (Berger Picard), Sprocket Newell (GoldenDoodle), Sumo Billing (English Bulldog)

Nominees: Bernadette Knowles (Basenji/Husky mix), Bronwyn Boal (Great Dane), Diamond Frees (Boxer), Ella Sonneman (Yellow Lab), Joey Brown (Lab mix), Lexi Enns (Rhodesian Ridgeback), Kate Sinclair (Boxer), Lola Pigeon (Portuguese Water Dog), Piper Damrell (Black Lab), Sierra Frigon-Desroches (Yellow Lab)

Winner: JACK HAWKINS - While all these boys are sexy in their own way, walker Ginny thinks Jack is an extremely handsome Lab because of his “long legs, shiny coat, soulful eyes, and hint of the ‘bad boy’ look”. Watch out boys – you’ve got some tough competition here! I can hear the girls flocking now…

Winner: JOEY BROWN - We walk some very sexy gals, but walker Chris says “Grace, elegance and poise are none of the words I would use to describe Miss Joey B – she’s a hard hittin’, heartbreakin’, get-down-and-dig-a-whole kinda girl… but the boys love it! All the boys at Post Park line up along the fence to get a look

at this beauty. Joey is a huge flirt and loves having the boys chase her.” We think Joey’s tomboy-ish ways make her the most sexy female this year! CATEGORY: MOST LAID BACK Nominees: Bernadette Knowles (Basenji/Husky mix), Coco Champagne (Pug/Shih Tzu mix), Gus Waddell (Lab mix), Hailey Hutchison (Golden Retriever), Jazz Hammond (Boxer), Kahlua Schoene (Chocolate Lab), Kiwi Kelly-Pulford (ShiPoo), Montana Nesbitt (Yellow Lab), Muggins Younger-Ridout (Westie), Samantha Mackey-Shaen (Choc. Lab), Sheba Mains (Lab/Shepherd mix), Wesley Brown (Wheaton), Wrigley Maly (GoldenDoodle) Winner: SHEBA MAINS - While all these pups are calm and easy-going, walker Silvia says Sheba always “goes with the flow and is very happy to go wherever you want to take her”. Arthritis, hearing loss and being at the ripe old age of 14 doesn’t stop this gal from following your every instruction with a smile! CATEGORY: MOST DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE Nominees: Angus & Griffon Rossall (Westie & Wheaton), Ben Mehta-Owens (Lab), Duke Michaelson (GoldenDoodle),

Making Pawprints Montana & Murphy Nesbitt (Yellow Lab & Boston Terrier), Noel Martiniuk (Portuguese Water Dog), Raven Hammond (Boxer), Rogue Wood (Great Dane), Tamsin Beach (Beagle), Wesley Brown (Wheaton) Winner: RAVEN HAMMOND - All the nominees each have their unique way of being dramatic, from barking uncontrollably out of excitement for their walk, to scavenging for food like they haven’t eaten in days. Walker Ashley thinks Raven gives his own unique performance everyday. Ashley says “As soon as I let Raven out of his crate he grabs onto my coat/sweater/arm and whimpers until I get his leash on him. Then on our walks he will stop and grab a hold of his leash and start a game of tug-o-war, which usually goes on until he is distracted by a blowing leaf or squirrel. People have even stopped their cars to ask me if I’m ok because he is so relentless.” Now that’s dramatic! We think Raven belongs on an episode of The Hills or The Young & The Restless! CATEGORY: MOST STUBBORN Nominees: Daisy Crawford (English Bulldog), Hamish Stansfield (Eng. Cocker Spaniel), Mackenzie Hinkley (English Bulldog), Maggie Younger-Ridout (Scottie), Kyan Whiteford (Welsh Corgi), Oscar Wilson (English Bulldog), Raven Hammond (Boxer) Winner: HAMISH STANSFIELD – This category is almost always dominated by Bulldogs, but when you have a pampered pooch like Hamish who gets 3 walks a day, he sometimes refuses to wake up from a nap to take his walk, or insists he choose which route to walk. Walker Chris says “If Hamish wants to walk this way, we have to walk this way. If Hamish wants to walk

Winter 2008/2009 Newsletter Pg. 2 that way, we have to walk that way. If Hamish is sick of walking, we don’t go anywhere except home. And forget it if he finds a good smell somewhere…we’ll need to thoroughly investigate it, and there’s no talking him out if it!” That’s ok Hamish – when you’re as cute as you are, you’re allowed to be stubborn! CATEGORY: SWEETEST Nominees: Babs Cornack (Jack Russell/Australian Blue Merle mix), Bodhi Corley (Coton de Tulear), Coco Champagne (Pug/Shih Tzu mix), Chloe Rosenthal (Golden Retriever), Dasha Maguire (Lab/Hound mix), Diamond Frees (Boxer), Ella Baker (Shepherd/Collie mix), Holly Reed (Golden Retriever), Izzy Feuerstake (Appenzellar), Jasper Campanelli (LhasaPoo), Jasper Drever-Gorban (Golden Retriever), Josie Gilbert (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever), Madison Kunder (Golden Retriever), Maggie Vancea (Miniature Schnauzer), Ritz Blattler (PomPoo), Sydney Catahan (Aussie/Beagle mix), Teka St. Angelo (American Eskimo), Thunder Gosse (Great Pyrenees) Winner: MAGGIE VANCEA - This is always one of the hardest categories to choose a winner. All these dogs are big sweethearts in their own way, but we think Maggie deserves the award this year. Maggie has always been a sweet, loving girl, but after losing her brother, Murphy, this past summer, she has become even more affectionate and gives as much love as she can to anyone who will accept it. Walker Ginny says “Maggie is a little lovebug. She waits to be picked up and cuddled before her lunch and walk. Maggie presses herself into your shoulder and contentedly enjoys the affection”. Maggie melts everyone’s hearts!

CATEGORY: MOST ENERGETIC Nominees: Abby Ehrich (Chocolate Lab), Abby Labenski (Yellow Lab), Bernadette Knowles (Basenji/Husky mix ), Chloe Rosenthal (Golden Retriever), Cylie Musu (Golden Retriever), Declan O’Rourke (Portuguese Water Dog) Diamond Frees (Boxer), Ella Sonneman (Yellow Lab), Ellie Nelson-Gill (BernaDoodle), Honey Hammell-White (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Ret.), Jake Pelton (Chocolate Lab), Josie Gilbert (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Ret.) Lola Kennard (LabraDoodle), Maddox Werstroh (Chocolate Lab), Max McDonald (Swedish Vallhund), Monty Brabant (GoldenDoodle), Sawyer Roberts (Brittany Spaniel), Tory Whiteford (Welsh Corgi), Tucker DaCosta (Wheaten), Wrigley Maly (GoldenDoodle), Zippo Corbett-Walker (Jack Russell) Winner: HONEY HAMMELL-WHITE Looks like we have a lot of energetic doggies this year! However, walker Chris thinks Honey has the most impressive stamina! Chris says “When Honey’s ball comes out, the frantic look of ‘Throw the ball! Throw it! Throw the ball!’ is written all over her face! Once the ball is thrown, look out! She is on it without hesitation and sprinting back to do it again. If we had an all day ball-throwing session she would still keep going!” Honey never takes her eyes off the ball and the walkers have to remind her to take breaks! We bet if Honey had a dual with a tennis ball throwing machine, it would tire before she did! CATEGORY: MOST INTO CUDDLES Nominees: Basil Montfort (Basset Hound), Bodhi Corley (Coton de Tulear),

© Paw Prints Dog Walking Service •905-815-9564 •www.paw-prints.ca •E-mail: [email protected]

Making Pawprints Babs Cornack (Jack Russell/Australian Blue Merle mix), Dinah Hecimovich (Standard Poodle), Duke Michaelson (GoldenDoodle), Hailey Hutchison (Golden Retriever), Jasper Campanelli (Lasapoo), Jasper Drever-Gorban (Golden Retriever) Maggie Vancea (Miniature Schnauzer), Sprocket Newell (GoldenDoodle), Zoe Clark-Noonan (Australian Shepherd) Winner: ZOE CLARK-NOONAN - The walkers love their cuddle time with the dogs, but Zoe will knock any cuddle out of the park! Walker Scott says “Zoe is always ready for cuddling! She loves to give plenty of kisses and will demand attention if you stop petting her.” Zoe will lean against you and if you are down at her level, she will shove her head into your neck for a snuggle, giving plenty of kisses before and after. If given the chance, Zoe will try to jump on you to get close for a cuddle. You can bet if you get on the ground near Zoe, she will be in your lap or squeezed in close to you in a millisecond! CATEGORY: SMALLEST Nominees: Bodhi Corley (Coton de Tulear), Brody Moffatt (Westie), Dasha Maguire (Lab/Hound mix), Isabella Marinigh (Shih Tzu), Jacob Campbell-Messier (Jack Russell), Sam Roy-Gulledge (ChiPoo) Winner: ISABELLA MARINIGH – We don’t have too many little ones this year, so Isabella is definitely the smallest of the bunch! Walker Ginny says “This petite bundle may be small, but she has a big spirit!” Not much else we can say, other than good things come in small packages!

Winter 2008/2009 Newsletter Pg. 3 CATEGORY: FUNNIEST Nominees: Angus O’Connell (Great Dane), Basil Montfort (Basset Hound), Brodie Ferguson (Golden Retriever), Buddy Straw (Irish Wolfhound mix), Ellie Nelson-Gill (BernaDoodle), Joey Brown (Lab mix), Liam Longley-Christopher (Lab mix), Lincoln Hecimovich (Standard Poodle), Mackenzie & Truman Graham (Shih Tzus), Maggie Vancea (Miniature Schnauzer), Montana & Murphy Nesbitt (Boston Terrier), Oscar Wilson (English Bulldog), Scout Schrafft (Collie/Aussie/Beagle mix) Winner: ANGUS O’CONNELL – Each of these dogs has their own funny quirks about them, but we think Angus is the funniest! It seems most Great Dane puppies don’t realize how big they are and seem to clop around like a horse and almost trip over their own feet, while their ears and tongue sway back and forth. Angus is no exception! Walker Marian says “Angus is constant entertainment. Some of the goofy positions he gets into make me wonder if they are teaching him Yoga! His Downward Dog is in fine form, but I’m not sure what he’s doing when he rubs his whole body on the ground!” Thanks for giving us a nice chuckle everyday, Angus! CATEGORY: HUNGRIEST Nominees: Abby Labenski (Yellow Lab), Angus & Griffon Rossall (Wheaton & Westie) Basil Montfort (Basset Hound), Eddie Enns (Golden Retriever), Jack Hawkins (Black Lab), Jake Pelton (Chocolate Lab), Kelsa & Toby (Black Lab & Yellow Lab), Montana Nesbitt (Yellow Lab), Simba Keyser (Yellow Lab)

Winner: ABBY LABENSKI - These doggies just love to eat! Abby seems to be the hungriest, however! Walker Heather says “Abby inhales her dinner and is always looking for any kind of treat she can find on our walk! She also enjoys chewing on fingers!” All we can say is, at least she doesn’t eat poop, like our winner last year! CATEGORY: MOST FASHIONABLE Nominees: Babs Cornack (Jack Russell/Australian Blue Merle mix), Bodhi Corley (Coton de Tulear), Brodie Ferguson (Golden Retriever), Dubu Park (Puggle), Hamish Stansfield (English Cocker Spaniel), Isabella Mirinigh (Shih Tzu), Noel Martiniuk (Portuguese Water Dog), Pollux Vinet (Bichon Frise), Rahlea From (BichonPoo), Ritz Blattler (PomPoo), Sparky Philpott-Stirling (Beagle mix), Zoe Clark-Noonan (Australian Shepherd), Winner: RAHLEA FROM - While all these doggies wish they could stroll down the “dog”walk, Rahlea seems to be the fashionista of the bunch! Walker Silvia says “Rahlea is such a princess in pink! She has a pink fleece jacket with a beaded pink fringe, a pink leash and a pink harness!” Now this girl knows how to coordinate! CATEGORY: MOST CHARMING Nominees: Angus O’Connell (Great Dane), Jacob Campbell-Messier (Jack Russell), Bronwyn Boal (Great Dane), Duke Michaelson (GoldenDoodle), Ella Baker (Shepherd/Collie mix), Finnegan Branion (Sheltie), Hailey Hutchison (Golden Retriever), Harry Gardiner (Miniature Schnauzer), Jazz Hammond (Boxer), Murphy Grant (Wheaten),

© Paw Prints Dog Walking Service •905-815-9564 •www.paw-prints.ca •E-mail: [email protected]

Making Pawprints Norman Mills (English Bulldog), Riley Groulx (Golden Retriever), Riley Hunter (German Pointer), Simcoe Shand (Black Lab), Sparky Philpott-Stirling (Beagle mix), Tanner Bolton (Hovawart), Wesley Brown (Wheaten), Zoe Clark-Noonan (Australian Shepherd) Winner: JACOB CAMPBELL-MESSIER - All of the dogs we walk are charming, but walker Tami convinced us Jacob is the most captivating out of the bunch! Tami says “Jacob is such a cool dude! He always greets me in such a calm and happy way, like he is saying ‘Hi! Good to see you again!’ He has the cutest little polka dot ears and at the dog park he is so calm and collective, nothing could stir him!” You’ve won us all over, Jacob! CATEGORY: MOST HAPPY Nominees: Bailey Convery (Yellow Lab), Diesel McCarthy-Kerbel (ShiPoo), Ella Baker (Shepherd/Collie mix), Frasier Newton-Bombardier (Beagle/ Hound mix), Higgins Fiorelli (Boxer), Jake Pelton (Chocolate Lab), Mallory & Molly Narduzzi (Miniature Schnauzers), Molly McIntosh (Golden Retriever), Rahlea From (BichonPoo), Samantha Mackey-Shaen (Chocolate Lab) Shady Correia (Black Lab), Simcoe Shand (Black Lab), Sparky Philpott-Stirling (Beagle mix) Winner: JAKE PELTON - All of the dogs we visit are always happy to see us and to get outside for a walk, but Jake seems to explode with happiness! Walker Heather says “Jake is so happy to go in the car to the dog park and just play! When we return, he leaps into his swimming pool to cool off and he just seems happy to be alive!” Thanks Jake - your happiness is contagious!

Winter 2008/2009 Newsletter Pg. 4 CATEGORY: MOST TALKATIVE Nominees: Ben Mehta-Owens (Lab) Brody Moffatt (Westie) Elliott Compton (Cocker Spaniel) Gracie Tyers (Golden Retriever), Finnegan Branion (Sheltie), Jaffa Rosenthal (Husky), Kahlua Schoene (Chocolate Lab), Kyan Whiteford (Welsh Corgi), Tamsin Beach (Beagle), Thunder Gosse (Great Pyrenees) Winner: GRACIE TYERS - These pups just love to strike up a conversation, even if no one is listening! But silence is definitely not golden for Miss Gracie! Walker Vicki says “Once Gracie sees me in the driveway, she starts barking and doesn’t stop until she gets her collar on and is outside!” If only we could translate exactly what she was saying! CATEGORY: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Nominees: Ally Gillis (Black Lab), Gibson Johnson (CockaPoo), Joey Brown (Lab mix), London Chesney (GoldenDoodle), Noel Martiniuk (Portuguese Water Dog), Piper Damrell (Black Lab), Sprocket Newell (GoldenDoodle), Sumo Billing (English Bulldog), Tess Moore (Collie), Tucker Gardiner (YorkiePoo), Ty Ehrat (Lhasa Apso mix)

CATEGORY: BEST COUPLE Nominees: Brandy & BJ Lusky (Husky & German Shepherd), Buddy & Isabella Marinigh (Shih Tzus), Cassie & Kaia Chisholm (Chesapeake Bay Retrievers), Clancy & Maggie Goguen (Westies), Dinah & Lincoln Hecimovich (Standard Poodles), Gidget & Timbit Gunarsons (Yorkshire Terriers), Mackenzie & Truman Graham (Shih Tzus), Maggie & Muggins Younger-Ridout (Scottie & Westie), Mogwai & Tony Lorenz (Keeshonds), Tallie & Jackson Marleau (Toy Poodles), Truman & Kenzie Hardy (Vizsla & Pug), Zoe & Lexi Campbell (Chocolate & Yellow Labs) Winner: TALLIE & JACKSON MARLEAU All these couples have a special bond, whether it’s sibling love like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, or romantic love, like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Tallie & Jackson are the winners this year because walker Lina says “This cute pair live harmoniously and do everything together – from walking in unison, to matching winter coats, accepting their treats side by side, and cuddling beside each other. Tallie & Jackson are definitely the most happiest and well loved pair I’ve seen!” Tallie & Jackson are like the modern day, pooch version of Laurel and Hardy or Batman or Robin.

Winner: GIBSON JOHNSON - We gained a lot of new clients last year, but Gibson has stolen the heart out of all those who were nominated this year! Walker Vicki says “This little fluffy fur ball is as cute as a button and as good as gold! He has beautiful curly fur and big eyes that melt your heart!” Seems Gibson has the whole package!

© Paw Prints Dog Walking Service •905-815-9564 •www.paw-prints.ca •E-mail: [email protected]

Making Pawprints

Winter 2008/2009 Newsletter Pg. 5

Dog of the Month

Bohdi Corley

It’s so hard to pick just one dog out of the hundreds we care for, but walker Chris gave an unbeatable nomination this month, so the choice was clear! Chris says ”Bodhi’s pretty much one of the cutest dogs you'll ever see. Girls absolutely love Bodhi! This month alone I’ve had two girls stop their car just to see Bodhi and tell him how cute he is. I even heard three little kids yell "We love you puppy!" out of the window of a moving vehicle. Even an elderly women at the bus stop picked Bodhi up to make kissy faces at him. I heard from a previous walker he once started licking a baby’s feet at the dog park and made it giggle a whole bunch!

Now this is all very sweet, and will make you say ‘Awwwwww’, but I’m a 20-something year old guy and cute is fine and all, but I want to know ‘Is your dog fun?’ and yes, Bodhi is a little firecracker! Bodhi is into the chase game in a big way when I get him out of his crate. He'll try to be sneaky and peak to see where you are from either side of the counters or under the table. But when you sneak up on him, he bolts and does a lap around the kitchen, maybe finishing the sprint with a tail chase or a taunt to come and get 'em again! He's the best kind of little maniac anyone would want in a dog. He’s a huge character! Guys like him, girls like him, babies like him!” Well, with a personality like that, who wouldn’t!

Congratulations, Bodhi!

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© Paw Prints Dog Walking Service •905-815-9564 •www.paw-prints.ca •E-mail: [email protected]

Making Pawprints

Winter 2008/2009 Newsletter Pg. 6

A Short Story by Kees Baggerman On Valentine’s Day 2007 I gave my wife, Helen, the usual “Oh Kees, you shouldn’t have” gift. Since this is a generic statement uttered by many women when you give them a present, you often don't have a clue if they mean it or not. If you end up on the couch that night you’ll know; I didn’t!

I tossed all that nonsense aside, and began to dress in layers, put on a toque or head band and even started to wear long johns on colder days. Better footwear also helped! But I continued to have one annoying problem; my hands were always cold. I tried mittens and gloves of all kinds, but none kept my hands warm.

But not only did I give Helen a present that day, I treated myself as well and signed on as a dog walker with Making Pawprints Inc. However, on February the 15th, only a few hours into my new ‘venture’, I was muttering out loud, over and over again, “Oh Kees, you shouldn’t have”. And I meant it! What was I thinking? For as long as I’ve been in Canada, I arrived in the late sixties, I had never warmed up to winter. Not that I didn’t try to. That first winter I took downhill skiing lessons at Glen Abbey, and did really well. My sturdy Dutch cycling legs managed to keep me upright, but I was always cold and after a few classes traded my skies and boots to a friend of a friend, who was somewhat hearing impaired, for his stereo set.

That was until I walked Footix for the first time on a miserable cold day. Footix is a beautiful male Golden Retriever, average size and not overweight. Those that have walked him know that he does one thing exceptionally well: poop large portions multiple times. After scooping his first ‘deposit’ that day I held the bag, as usual, by one of the ties and kept on walking. Suddenly he squatted again and well you know.... I scooped this as well of course, and just for a moment kept the bag in the palm of one of my frozen hands. Suddenly my hand was enveloped in warmth. A divine intervention perhaps? No.... it’s the poop you fool! Well okay, but it sure was the dawn of more tolerable cold days to come. Just about every dog produces ‘warmth’ when I walk them, and often I am more anxious then they are. Thanks for the eye opener Footix, or better yet, hand warmer!

After I got this rather ugly credenza style set home and plugged it in, I knew why he had developed a hearing problem. Although I had an awful first couple of days at my new dog walking job, it got much better when I began to dress the part! I never liked to wear layers of clothes, toques look goofy, and long johns are for old men!

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Which got me thinking. If kids can set up a lemonade stand on those beautiful hot days to keep us cool, could a poop stand be a viable venture to keep our hands warm on cold days? I ran this idea by Helen, but in her no-nonsense way she told me that it’s the nerds who are often successful and not the turds! Hey....wait a minute!

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© Paw Prints Dog Walking Service •905-815-9564 •www.paw-prints.ca •E-mail: [email protected]