Author Archives

BEING A FOSTER PET PARENT CAN SAVE A LIFE

A big thank you to Kristin Calis, a writer with a local newspaper.  Kristen  covers Pickering and writes a pet column for the Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. “There are many benefits to being a foster pet parent, and I have read that it’s actually one of the best ways in which an animal lover can volunteer to help homeless pets.” Kristin recently

Read More »


BLACK CATS: WICKED OR WONDERFUL?

By Nomi Berger For centuries, black cats were revered. Then, in the blink of a great, green eye, their fortunes were reversed. What changed history’s good luck charm into a symbol of all things bad? Is it similar to a child’s game of broken telephone, where the message mouthed at the beginning is mangled at the end? Or is it more a case of

Read More »


FOREVER HOME: NOW WHAT?

By Nomi Berger Be an informed adopter and make your new dog’s entry into your world as pleasurable as possible. If this is your first dog, establish yourself with a vet or register your new dog with your established vet. Then apply for the appropriate licenses, etc., required in your area. Remember that a dog’s true personality may not reveal itself for several weeks.

Read More »


PUPPY PROOFING IS NOT JUST FOR PUPPIES

By Nomi Berger A puppy-proofed home is a pet-safe home whatever the age of your new dog. Before that first front paw crosses your threshold for the first time, your home must be a health zone, not a hazard zone. Be especially attentive to the sensibilities of former puppy mill dogs or “outside” dogs. They may never have walked on wooden floors, carpets or

Read More »


A CAT-PROOFED HOME IS A CAT-SAFE HOME

By Nomi Berger A cat-proofed home is a cat-safe home whether your new pet is a newborn kitten or a fully- grown cat. Before that first front paw crosses your threshold for the first time, your home must be a health zone, not a hazard zone. Be especially attentive to the sensibilities of former “outside” cats, who may never have walked on wooden floors,

Read More »


A YEAR OF RESCUE RESOLUTIONS

By Nomi Berger Have you thought of adding some new and different resolutions to your traditional New Year’s list? Have you ever thought of getting involved in the world of rescue, but didn’t quite know how? Here then, are twelve different ways – one for each month of the year – for you to resolve to make a difference in the lives of rescue

Read More »


Project Pit Bull – The Breed (Part 2)

For the first installment of Project Pit Bull I figured it would be appropriate to get some historical context. To properly understand where these dogs come from, you first have to consider dogs are direct descendants and share 99% of their DNA with the Grey Wolf. The Grey Wolf shares 99% of the DNA with all K9’sPhoto Credit: Flickr user Dallidee Creation A statue of

Read More »


Babies and Doggies

My family dog Casper relaxing with our neighbour Andrea. Read my blog post about Casper. One of the ways dogs come into TAGS is as surrenders. When I originally began volunteering, I would look down on the surrendering families with disdain. However, I have come to really appreciate the people who surrender their dog to be rehomed. After a few years of volunteering, my attitude

Read More »


Project Pit Bull (part 1)

Not so long ago, I wrote a post about my dream of owning a pit bull. Without rehashing the article too much, the reason I have an infatuation with pit bulls is that they are the antonym of what people consider a friendly, lovable, cuddly sidekick. I hope one day to be able to adopt a pit bull type of dog and to prove that these

Read More »