Welcome Coco, Bowie, and Whippy!

Some congratulations and welcomes are definitely in order! Meet Coco, the Morkie, and Bowie, the Cockapoo, on the bottom, and Whippie, the Springer Spaniel, on top.. Coco and Bowie are best friends who, together, started puppy visits with K9 Kate’s a few months ago and are graduating to group walks. Way to go, guys! Following in their paw prints is Whippie, the Springer Spaniel, who will also make the move to offleash dog walks in the coming months.

Coco, Bowie and Whippy: thank you for choosing K9 Kate’s for your puppy visits, private walks, training and now, for our graduates, group dog walking! You’ve covered all of our bases :) ! We promise to love you and give you the best (force-free!) walk each and every time.

Welcome Churro the Goldendoodle

It has been way too long since my last post so, brace for impact, as there is some serious catching up to do. Over the past number of months, we’ve had old friends return to walks and new friends join us for everything from puppy visits to offleash dog walks to private training.

Meet Churro. This pure bundle of Doodle joy was referred by fellow Seaton Village resident, Poppy- ok, her mom :)- and while they continue to be BDFs, Churro has also made so many new friends. We love you so much Churro and are thrilled that you chose K9 Kate’s to be your Toronto dog walker.

Welcome Scout the Cockapoo

This too-cute cockapoo joined K9 Kate’s last week and has been such a great addition to our group! 

Like all puppies who have recently signed on for offleash walks, Scout started in the private dog park we currently share with Woof, Waggle and Walk. The park has proven to be a fantastic tool in allowing the younger dogs to gain exposure to offleash life in a highly controlled environment where we know all of the dogs who enter.

It was here that Scout had her incredible start last week. By the end of her first walk, she was playing with her new friends, exploring and clearly over the moon. She now gets the zoomies even BEFORE the walk starts; once she sees me or her co-dog walker, Traci, come to the door, she … well, she zooms!

I’m so thrilled that we get to be Scout’s dog walkers. We love you already, girl!

Welcome Lucy, the Cockapoo Puppy!

Lucy started offleash walks in our private dog park (where all puppies start), a few weeks back and has been such a lovely addition to our group. The little miss was referred to K9 Kate’s by our friends at Annex Pooch Patrol (the awesome team that offers force-free, on-leash dog walks in the Annex, Seaton Village and Summerhill). Lucy, like most Cockapoos I know - my own Storm was one- is sassy, confident, and ready to play! Lucy, we love you girl!

Welcome Indy, the German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy

This sweet, energetic bundle of love - I believe that’s not the technical term but there’s no way other way to describe him- joined K9 Kate’s a few weeks ago and has been such a great addition to our group! Indy is heading out on both private dog walks- so he can master the art of loose leash walking - and offleash dog walks - so he can master the art of getting his sillies out and coming home tired! This Trinity Bellwoods puppy is such a doll. I can’t wait to see him shortly for his morning dog walk!

Picture of the Week: Ace and Koda in the Private Dog Park

I LOVE this picture, taken on Thursday of Ace, the Shepherd-mix, and Koda, the Golden Retriever. These dog buddies were having so much fun running offleash with their friends, and this picture captured it perfectly: their smiles, how they’re wrapped up together, in pure let’s get silly mode!

I can’t wait to see what this week will bring as we continue our mornings in the private dog park and the afternoons down at - my favourite dog park- Coronation! Why do I love Coro, as it’s commonly referred to? It’s by the lake so you get the cooling effect, the smells of the lake and the scurrying of the squirrels get the dogs going, there’s tons of shade, it’s fenced in for safety, and the dogs just love it. If you’re looking to stay cool in the dog park during Toronto’s steamy summer, follow our lead: head out in the early morning or venture down to the lake in the heat of the day!

Welcome Rosie The Cockapoo Puppy

I met this little angel last week after she was referred by recent pack member, Gracie (well, Gracie’s mom) and I just about melted. She is so adorable and sweet and … just pure puppy joy! While the little miss is too young for dog walks, she is currently training with the amazing Andrea Dinan and getting ready for her big day when she’s of age and can run offleash with her new furiends. This Harbourd Village puppy already has close to 200 followers on her Instagram account (rosie_minicockapoo). Follow her adventures at home and, before we know it, on our own page. Rosie, welcome ! I can’t wait to see you strut your stuff!

Picture of the Week: Rescue Dogs Rock!

I adore this picture of Beau and Princess, taken last week at Coronation Dog Park in downtown Toronto.

We are currently testing a return to the public dog parks with one afternoon group heading down to the lake, and the rest remaining in the private dog park. I chose Coronation Park for a few reasons. It’s already HOT in Toronto. The park is shaded and offers the lake’s cooling breeze. It’s also large and fenced in ie ideal for safety while encountering so many dogs who haven’t run offleash in months. Also, the dogs just love it there!

Case in point, sweet Beau and Princess smiling as they played with their friends last Friday. Both dogs are adopted and exemplify the many reasons to consider rescuing when finding the right furry friend for your home. Keep smiling, guys, and see you tomorrow!

Welcome Wil E, the Rescue Dog

Wil E’s mom reached out a few weeks ago; her adorable puppy had found his furever home. Next step: a Toronto dog walker who services Forest Hill and provides an offleash, force-free service … oh, hi :) ! It wasn’t chance that she found us; Wil E’s AMAZING dog trainer, Caroline Applebee (Raising Rover) referred K9 Kate’s so thank you Caroline!

This little man is the second puppy in as many weeks to join offleash dog walks, signalling the official arrival of puppy season in Toronto. He will start in our private dog park where there is maximum control- all of the dogs are social and walk together- and, if and when the time is right, move to the public dog parks. Wil E, you are so freaking cute!! I can’t wait to see you rock it this week with your new friends!

Welcome Gracie the Labradoodle/Cocker Spaniel Puppy

It’s official: puppy season has arrived and the first to start will be Gracie, the adorable Labradoodle/Cocker Spaniel mix. Gracie was referred to offleash dog walks by her Harbourd Village neighbour and current adventurer, Otis (well, by his parents, if we want to get technical). She is sweet, adorable, and full of puppy beans! Gracie, welcome to K9 Kate’s. I promise to give you so much love and cuddles each and every dog walk, and to not dognap you despite my not-so-secret inclinations.

Picture of the Week: Sam the Labrador Retriever and Scrabble the Rescue Dog in the Private Dog Park

Sam is among the most recent pups to join our offleash, dog walking crew at the private dog park. He has been such a wonderful addition. He gets along with all of the dogs, and clearly loves running and playing with his new friends. He is a total dog walker’s dream. Here he is with Scrabble, another dream dog who brings confidence, playfulness and ample enthusiam - :) - to each and every dog walk. I love watching them play and the way this picture captures their instant connection.

More memories on their way. I hope everyone stays positive, safe and healthy as we continue on during this difficult time

A Big Welcome to Jujube, Luna, and Sam, Our newest On-foot and Offleash Adventurers!

It was a really exciting week for K9 Kate’s with 3 new amazing dogs joining on-foot and offleash dog walks. I first met Jujube, who was referred by a client looking for a temporary dog walker while her own is off work. Jujube is such a sweetheart who has done incredibly well with her new friends as they walk the trails at Ramsden Park, Winston Churchill Dog Park, and The Beltline. Next up are sweet Luna on the left and Sam the Man on the right. Luna is a Border Collie/German Shepherd mix who started dog walks on Tuesday, and Sam is a 9 year old Labrador Retriever who joined the offleash dog walk the following day. Both have fit beautifully with their new friends and it makes me happy to see the pure joy on their faces as they run and play and muck about with their new buddies. Jujube, Sam and Luna: all 3 of you are AWESOME dogs. To your parents, thank you for letting me hang out with your dogs and choosing K9 Kate’s as your Toronto dog walker. I promise to give your dogs the ultimate experience in force force, dog walking and give them so much love each and every day!

K9 Kate's’ BIRTHDAY WEEK: A dog walker's dream come true :) !!

As Otis’, Coco’s, Oakley’s, and Oslo’s Toronto dog walker, I inevitably adore them and share the excitement their parents feel when their dogs hit milestones, whether they be birthdays, behaviour goals being realized, you name it! SO this is truly an exciting week at K9 Kate’s. Oakley the Golden Retriever and Coco the Mini Goldendoodle both turned 2. I’ve walked both dogs since they were puppies and can say that they are exceptional dogs; both confident, sweet, playful, a dog walker’s dream. Oslo, another Mini Goldendoodle and best friend to Coco, turned SIX MONTHS OLD yesterday!!! Like Coco and Oakley, I’ve gotten to know Oslo since he was a baby. We did puppy visits and boarding until he was as of age to join the adventure dog walk. Oslo is such a good, sweet boy. I miss him terribly and can’t wait to see him when life gets more normal again. Last up, the big O to the T.I.S (OTIS!!) turned 7 years old. This standard poodle joined K9 Kate’s a few months ago after being referred by a longtime dog walking client and I’m so happy he did. Otis is a blast in the dog park. He loves to run, is consistently engaged, sweet, and movingly thrilled by running offleash. In such a precarious and difficult time for everyone, I feel so grateful to be able to see and spend time with the dogs and to have such a special week of birthdays in place. Stay positive, safe and healthy, and keeping loving your dogs to the moon and back, everyone!!

Welcome Kova, The Aussie-Retriever Mix

Kova’s mom reached out about a month ago. She is a front-line worker - a nurse- who needed a dog walker so that she could fight the good fight without worrying that her dog would be cared for. I am so happy that she did. This amazing dog has been joining us in our current space: a private dog park that we will continue to use until the public dog parks reopen. Thankfully, it is here that the dogs can continue get the exercise they need while we can easily adhere to social distancing protocols and provide the animal care deemed to be an essential service. Nurses show up for us. We show up for them. Welcome Kova!

Happy 14th Birthday, Princess the Rescue Dog Extroardinaire!

Happy 14th birthday, Princess! Your friends and I love you so much. and are so grateful for our shared adventures. I am in awe of you: your playfulness, regular zoomies, unrivaled passion for food and sweetness. Together, we’ve been to just about every Toronto dog park, and even had an ice cream date (doggy ice cream for her) last summer around Trinity Bellwoods. Thanks to her parents, Sam and Cassandra, for letting me be Princess’ dog walker for 4 years and counting. She is such a special dog and source of joy for both me and her four-legged friends. Love you so much, P!!!!

Grocery Pick Up and Delivery: Feeling the Need and Offsetting the Impact

For the past 11 days, I have self quarantined.  It’s had its ups and it’s down but one consistent stressor was the threat of not being unable to get groceries when I needed them.  The situation has worsened with wait times for grocery delivery now being weeks. With this in mind, we are offering Grocery Gateway, pharmacy and other delivery should it be ready for pick up for people who are self-quarantined, vulnerable or simply can’t wait two weeks for Fantastic- the boat I found myself in before a friend mercifully found a bottle. The service costs $15 and will offset the financial loss incurred by me and my walkers during this time.  Please email through the K9 Kate’s website if you are interested, stay healthy safe and well!

Pawlidays for People Who Can't Care for Their Pets Right Now

Needless to say, the current moment has brought with it massive and unprecedented changes to our lives. If you are an at risk person (senior, lung issues, or currently sick) who needs to self quarantine, we are here to take the pressure off. K9 Kate’s currently has 5 walkers, 7 as of next week, who can and want to board your dogs. Typically, this service is only offered to our dog walking clients. However, it is now open to anyone who needs. We send daily updates and video chat so that you can remain connected to your dog while unable to care for him or her. All boarding is home-style (this is not a kennel), and all boarders receive complimentary adventure dog walks. Also, a quick reminder that there are FREE dog walks for nurses and doctors around Wellington Dog Park, and we will venture outside of our typical service area for nurses and doctors who can’t care for their dogs right now. Please read, share, and stay pawsitive; we may not have an end date but this will end. So stay in the moment, hug your dog, video chat with friends and family, be silly, give and get love, and know that you are most certainly not alone.

Free Dog Walks for Nurses and Doctors around Wellington Dog Park

To say that it is the scariest moment in time most have us have lived through would be the understatement of the century. One consistent comfort has been the ability of individuals to step up, and I see it daily in my clients: the doctors and nurses who are on the front lines of this, the self-employed who gave what they could while their own businesses suffer, the countless who offered to drop off supplies while I myself began to self quarantine after developing a soar throat. Ace- seen here- has a very lovely mom who is offering free dog walks for doctors and nurses around Wellington Dog Park so that they can work their shifts and not worry about their dog being walked. As long as we are open which, let’s face it, could change as early as today, we are offering dog walks for doctors and nurses outside of our typical service area so that they can work.

Numerous emails have been sent to clients regarding precautions both we and they can and must take in order for walks to continue. Despite my encouragement to postpone after being self-quarantined, the majority felt and feel that, as the evidence suggests, dog walking is too low risk to be concerning and they would feel better if dog walks continued. I’m not sure yet- like most- where I stand on this.

I do know that this is a pandemic and a crisis that we all want to help each other be safe so, again, doctors and nurses we are here to help should you need. Please forward if you know any Toronto doctors and nurses who are struggling to take care of their dogs right now.

Update: Dog Walking, Training, Boarding, Sitting and Visits Continue Uninterrupted

The time has come to address COVID-19, what we are doing to stay safe and what you can do as well, as we are all in this scary time together.  

I messaged my walkers at the start of last week to stress that everyone has to be sanitizing and washing hands constantly. As of today, we will all be wearing latex gloves. They and I are prohibited from working if we show any symptoms of COVID-19.  Importantly, dogs cannot contract the virus, and every single dog walker already self-quarantines and avoids people generally ... some levity :) Our clients are leaving sanitizer and wipes at the door. Together, we are doing everything possible to remain open and stay safe.

All cancellation charges will be waved during this time. We all owe it to each other to stay home sick and quarantine with as little stress as possible.  If you feel at risk of being quarantined and unable to care for your dog should this occur, a number of us are in houses or have yards and could board should we ourselves be quarantined.

I do admin a group of the city's walkers and trainers and the panic is alarming. I shared with them my own mental health action plan to turn off my phone and news alerts, and to have designated news times; stress isn't good for your immune system.  Take immune system boosters, exercise, stay calm and safe. Canada is taking the steps it needs to and following the lead of countries that quickly contained COVID-19. I will remain optimistic and continue to provide dog walking services to Toronto’s dog parents for as long as possible, take the break when it’s needed, and then be back in full force.

Thank you,

Kate

Picture of the Week ... And Rescue Dogs Rock :)

I love this picture taken of Princess yesterday at Coronation Park (my favourite Toronto dog park!). The special girl was not so patiently waiting for her treat and, in that moment, showed some serious tongue. I have been Princess’ dog walker for four years. When we started, she was already a senior dog. I’m always amazed by her endless energy and playfulness, a true testament to her wonderful nature. I’m so grateful that I get to be Princess’ dog walker. See you in a few hours , you fabulous lady.