Today’s Top Bark: Is Your Dog Licensed?

The City of Vancouver is actively checking for dog licenses these days -- especially in dog-friendly parks and beaches. Fines for an unlicensed dog range from $150-$350. A license for a neutered or spayed dog is only $35 per year and $65 for an intact dog.

When you buy your license, your information will automatically be entered into the City of Vancouver's Emergency Pet Registry. This service will give you a better chance of your pet being rescued and you being reunited with your dog. All things considered, it makes that token licensing fee seem like a pretty good deal! You can read about that as well as the other services provided by Vancouver’s Animal Control division here.

Where The FREE Treats Are!

In a world where all things are created equal, a lot of dog owners choose their destinations based on who is handing out the free treats. Here are a couple to get things going and we’ll add to this list periodically. Meanwhile, if you and your dog know where the cookies are, please drop us a note so we can spread the word. We love to support pet-friendly merchants in Vancouver and all over the Lower Mainland. If you have a dog-friendly destination in mind, write to us, including a picture of you and your dog if you can.

Here are a couple to get things rolling:

Higher Grounds Coffeehouse is located at the corner of West Broadway and Vine in Kitsilano. Troy and Tonya and their delightful, smiling crew serve an excellent latte plus their delicious morning ham'n'eggers and fresh baked muffins sell out each and every day! Delicious food for us and a full dog cookie jar by the door for our pooches!

At MayFair News there is always a cookie at the post office in back when you visit on West Broadway just off Granville. A great selection of magazines and newspapers, plus full postal services for us humans and a cookie for Fido... yum!

Remember: let us know when you encounter pet-friendly businesses in Vancouver and the GVRD!

Is Your Dog Psychic?

On a recent road trip I listened to an interesting program called Dogs that Know. I found it so fascinating that I dug around for more information as soon as I got home.

Now, you may be wondering if you’ve heard of this somewhere before. Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist, and former Fellow of Cambridge University investigated this phenomena in the mid-90s. He even wrote a book titled, Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home. While many dog owners, trainers and other experts have witnessed this behavior, some scientists remain unconvinced. This research project aims to resolve this question.

You can check out their theories and even take part in their study if you wish. The Dogs That Know website is here.

Does your dog seem to know when you're coming home? Do other people in your house tell you they knew you were on the way home based on how your dog was acting? Do you have a story of unexplainable communication between you & your dog? If so, please share your story and photo with us for publication in our upcoming newsletters.