I’m August, aka Auggie, a lucky girl who was born in and spent the first 4 years of my life living in Thailand. An amazing organization called the Soi Foundation found me living on the streets alone. I was very hungry and sick, but luckily the kind people brought me under their care so that I could have a second chance at life.

After about a year, I was feeling well enough to start the journey of finding my new home. A local organization called BARCS helped me find my new family here in Calgary. I share a common background with my mom. Some years ago her family found themselves in desperate circumstances in a Thai refugee camp, before they were sponsored to come to Canada. We share a common story, and it feels like we were meant to share this chapter of life together.

When I met my new family for the first time at my foster home, I could tell they were grieving. I heard that they had just lost their dog. My now mom said that she didn’t know if she was ready yet, so I made sure to look deeply in her eyes and gently put my paw on her hand to let her know that it was ok to love again. I wanted her to know that if she was ready, I was ready to make my way into her heart.

I’m trying my best to learn new commands using sign language. I’m slowly learning how to “dog”, how to play and be silly, and how to cuddle with my humans at night. It’s taking me some time, but my family is patient and kind with me. I’m a smart girl, so I’m excited for what else they have to show me.

Bärli shared her zest for life with ease. She taught her family that life is short, and you should make the most out of every day. Spend time with the people and the dogs that you love and who love you right back. Soak in every opportunity to dip your paws in the water and most importantly, eat the waffles. More on that to come.

2 years ago she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her lower spine, leaving her without the use of her back legs and tail. Her family was told that this disease had low chances of survival amongst the only 11 reported cases. To improve her quality of life, Bärli’s family immediately switched her diet to her absolute favourite food in the world, waffles. Word on the street is that the Saturday waffles gave her a whole new lease on life and she lived an amazingly full and happy 20 months following her diagnosis.

Bärli didn’t let her limitations slow her down one bit! She learned to embrace life to the fullest. With her wheelchair, she was determined to do anything that she set her mind to. Like racing down the street to play with her besties, chasing birds in the yard and racing her sisters to get the tennis ball first. Perhaps what she loved the most though were her humans. They know that she could read their minds, know when they’re sad and kiss away their tears and give them lots of snuggles.

Bärli loved her two doggie siblings, Basel and Coco, and 4 other doggie best friends more than anything (maybe even more than waffles). Being on the water at the lake was her happy place. If her humans were getting into their boat, you’d see Bärli riding shotgun grinning from ear to ear with the warmth of the sun beaming on her face, pure bliss. 

Sadly, Bärli recently crossed the rainbow bridge in peace beside her beloved sister Basel after her cancer became more than her body could manage. She spent her last day eating all of her favourite foods, snacking on grass in the garden, and of course smothering everyone with kisses. Rest in peace sweet girl, Bärli. 

Bella was the sweetest girl. She crossed the rainbow bridge shortly after her 14th birthday, following a battle with Lymphoma. Although Bella’s family still finds it hard to live without her, being able to share her gentleness with the world helps keep Bella’s legacy alive in their hearts. 

She loved spending days outside, napping in the grass close by her dad’s side while he tended the gardens. She would sniff at the lightest of breezes and listen intently to the song birds nearby. A quiet girl, she made her presence known by the little grunts, sighs and soft “a-woo’s”—her way of telling you to lay on a few more pets. 

Her family called her “makulit”, which means “being persistent” in Tagalog. Bella shed all over the house and needed constant attention, but she would always give her thanks with gentle kisses and nose boops on the leg. Now that the bestest girl Bella has gone to sleep in the most gentle of nights, her family longs for the day that the sun rises with her and she can endlessly “makulit” them again. 

Bella had the most adventurous life filled with hiking, summer road trips, and kayaking. As her face started to fill with more snowy white hair, they let her live life at her own pace; sitting in her favourite spot in the backyard, smelling that gentle breeze, going for slow walks by the river, and sharing a treat of banana bread and ice cream.

Her family feels lucky to have been given the greatest gift of life to love her and to be loved by her. She taught them to lead a life based on the type of person your dog thinks you are and for Bella, it was teaching them how to live in the small moments. 

Bella is their hearts everyday. Some moments feel longer than others, especially in the mountains where they would hike together, under big blue prairie skies, in cotton candy sunsets, looking up at the first snowfall of the season, and when they smell freshly baked banana bread. Although their hearts will never be the same without her in this lifetime, they promise to always find her in the next.

My name is Bill, aka Billy, aka Silly Billy, a Basset Hound that is sure to charm you with my warm personality and stunning good looks. 

I break all of the Basset Hound rules. I am friendly, easygoing and charming, and I’m also quite the high-speed sprinter at the dog park. I watch all the jaws drop when I unleash my speed, greeting every new dog as they enter the park. One exception though is my love for a lazy nap: every athlete needs their recovery. 

I’m not just good looks, I’m brains too. I’ve mastered an impressive repertoire of tricks—sit, down, shake a paw, roll over, and the grand finale, “bang” (play dead). Speaking of brains, next to my big brain are my extra-long ears. I’ve been known to trip over them a time or two, how embarrassing, but sometimes I dip them into my water bowl to help mop the floors around the house. My grandma crafted a series of stylish “snoods” to protect my ears from the cold winters—I’m still working on getting used to this fashion-forward winter gear.

When my mom and I aren’t adventuring together, we like to unwind and watch a little Netflix. I usually don’t understand the plot, but I do appreciate the cuddle session. We take our weekends slowly and love to sleep in so that we can enjoy each other’s company without any rush. 

Dogs like me can bring so much sweetness into the lives of our human parents. When my mom completed her master’s degree, she wanted something new to fill her time. Boy am I happy she chose me. She is a registered psychologist, and her work can be pretty demanding sometimes. When she comes home, I am ready to welcome her with her daily dose of comfort: velvety soft ears and rolls of skin that instantly melt the stresses of the day away. I remind my mom that when life and work gets overwhelming, there is so much joy to be found in the simple, silly moments of life together.

Good boy Blue sadly crossed the rainbow bridge a few months after being selected as one of the Dogs of Village. He lost his battle with cancer after undergoing chemo and radiation treatment. Blue’s family wanted to honour their best friend for his courage and continued love and kindness. Against all odds, Blue remained happy and full of his unique style of personality. 

Blue was the sweetest, kindest boy around. Pitbulls can sometimes have a poor reputation, but Blue was an amazing representation of how Pitbulls can be wonderful family dogs when given the chance. Blue was full of innocence and love. Blue’s family found no greater joy than coming home to his smiling face. No adventure would have been the same without their baby boy Blue by their side. 

Blue was always a friendly face, often whipping you with those happy tail wags. He was known on a first name basis with so many neighbours on their walking route in their community of Bridgeland. Blue even provided his support “snuggle and slobber” to so many clients of Rising Sun Psychological Services. A true house hippo in all his glory, taking long snoring naps (with accompanying drools and farts). He had a gigantic smile.

At home, Blue preferred to sleep on top of you, or butt to butt for added warmth. A loyal family member to his human niece and nephew whom he would follow to the ends of earth, ensuring they were safe walking up and down stairs, always providing extra snuggles at bedtime and just being a part of the action. 

Blue was the CFO of his own organization, handling the inventory of over 60 stuffed animal friends (some with, some without full appendages). A hater of camping— you could find him in his doggie sleeping bag waiting to go home. Add mountain river swimmer, rock collector and connoisseur of fine sticks and branches to his repertoire of likes. Whether it be shopping at Doodle Dogs, or the thrill of the search at Homesense, Blue wouldn’t be far behind. A fancy boy, sometimes donning a proper tuxedo and stealing headbutt style hugs. Weekend warrior, spending time with family in Lake Louise, Banff and Whitefish, MT. Blue lived the most fulfilling life in his 10 years, and there is no denying the love that Blue and his family shared. Rest easy beautiful boy.

My humans tell me that I have completely changed their lives AND I get to change other human’s lives too! I am a certified search and rescue dog with the Search & Rescue Dog Association of Canada and it’s a big job, with big responsibility. I also just recently received my certification in Disaster Live find. That means me and my nose are able to find people buried in rubble. When I am not busy working, I am a happy, smiley girl who loves life and is up for any adventure. 

I love learning new skills like obedience, agility, nosework and various tricks. My human and I once rappelled off a 5 story building together! My efforts led me to receive my Champion Trick Dog title. My humans tell me that my high energy and spice has been inspiring to them, so much so, that my human received their MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour so that they could teach and help other spicy dogs like me!

Are you wondering what my name means? My human dad gave me this name, and it means “love” in Welsh. As the story goes, he named me this because my human sisters were born in Wales, but I think it’s because my dad knew that my mom would soon need lots and lots of love. We sadly lost my human dad, so now I give my mom as many kisses as I can every day, especially when her cheeks look wet. I want to make sure that she feels all the love in the world. I loved him very much. It is because of the love that he gave me, that I have so much to share with others.

These days my mom laughs a lot more, and that makes me happy. She says all the time that I make her life better. My mom and I are hoping to do this thing called “volunteering” together to give love to people, and make them happy too. I hear it involves lots of hugging and kissing, and I think I’ll even get extra treats too. Doesn’t that just sound the best?

Let me tell you about the rest of my family! I love my sisters but I don’t get to see them much, so I’ll jump at any chance for a visit, even if it means we have to go to the “airport”. That place makes me nervous. My 84 year old grandma loves it when I jump up to hug and kiss her. She is so sweet! My mom says my name in a cranky tone when I do it, but I can’t help myself. Oh, and I can’t forget about my best friend—a cat. I hear it’s an unlikely match, but that doesn’t matter, I love her.

I am a very special dog, and the bond that I have with my human dad is unmatched. Our story goes a little something like this. At the very beginning of my life during a very cold winter storm in a remote village in Nunavut called Igloolik, I found myself in a very desperate situation. My tail and paws were severely frostbitten, and I could feel the life escaping my frail puppy body. I found a small doorway to seek refuge, and a human man opened the door. This man would become my dad, a Psychiatric Nurse who had taken a post in Igloolik. 

My soon-to-be dad did everything he could to revive me. There are no veterinary services in this area, so he called the Calgary Humane Society to get some help on how to care for my frostbitten appendages. He even got some human infant formula in a pinch from a local Health Centre to try to nourish my body. My dad’s friend told him that I was likely abandoned, and he knew that I needed help. 

We have been inseparable ever since, and I’m so grateful for him saving me. I’ve since gone with my dad on many northern assignments. I even gained a therapy dog designation so that my dad’s colleagues could use my help in their practice. One time I accidentally caused a “Code 77” (attempted escape) and the resulting lock down. All I did was jump clear over a wire barrier, oops. The humans thought it was so funny, even taking a picture of me in a holding cell.

A few years later, my dad had an accident at work and had to spend time in hospital. He went away to attend a PTSD program in Ontario. Although I missed him so much, I was well taken care of by some nice trainers in Calgary. I gained my Service Dog designation during that time, and that allowed me to help my dad cope. I have an innate ability to detect distress, and I can even fetch my dad’s meds if needed. My dad helped me when I needed it most, so I love being able to help him now. My dad is a big proponent of mental health awareness and about the therapeutic benefit of animals. He’s slowly returning back to work now, and I am proud to say that I’ve helped him recover.

My name is short for Cutthroat Trout and my humans intended for me to be their fishing buddy. Turns out my fishing skills aren’t great, but I am exceptional at scaring the fish away! When I am not “helping” my humans on a fishing trip, I am busy with my role as the “shipping and receiving manager” at my dad’s work. It’s a tough job. When humans come in for an interview, they must first pass the official Cutty paw mark of approval. This test is no joke. Let’s just say some people have been politely put on the “we’ll get back to you list.”

Dad says I am a bit of a snob because I ignore other dogs at the dog park, but it’s not my fault. They don’t appreciate my exceptional work ethic and intellect. With humans on the other hand, it doesn’t take much to impress them. All the humans at the Riverdale dog park stop and stare as I leap sky high to catch my frisbee or ball. It’s earned me some good celebrity status.

My mom rarely goes on Kijiji and was never looking for a dog, but during April 2022, she did both of those things and found me! People often comment on how weird (and cute) of a dog I am….and all my strange habits/quirks just means that I receive a lot of extra love from everyone due to my uniqueness!

I am very photogenic and hence, I’m an IG doggy model (my mom does a bit of photography). When it comes to being in pictures, my trademark pose is called “rest my paw on your shoulder” (it comes in handy when people ask for selfies)! I might not look like much, but I can be quite active for an all-day sleepy kind of girl. My human often takes me out on crazy outdoor adventures (last summer: 8 hour hike with 1000m elevation)!

I’ve conquered many hikes AND scale mountain ledges with ease. The other human hikers on the trail cannot believe their eyes when they see a cute little floofball jumping from rock to rock. I have also paddleboarded on many beautiful lakes in BC and Alberta. My mom is an elementary teacher, so we get up to a ton of fun adventures together during the summertime. Last summer, we went on the best 2 week-long road trip all across BC, Seattle, Portland, Spokane, and Saskatchewan. Two of my highlights last summer (besides the trip): walking in the Calgary Pride parade with my mom and her coworker, getting photo ops with her MLA friend and the previous premier of Alberta (they cuddled me so hard), and dancing on a party bus for my mom’s birthday with all her friends (thank you to the driver for the invite)! What an absolute BLAST!

No big deal, but kids absolutely adore me. They love that I look like a little teddy bear and often recognize me when I’m out and about with my signature rainbow bandana (the pinned button on it says, “You can be yourself with me”). My mom will occasionally bring me for school night events, and then I get swarmed by kids at the school because they all want to pet me. I often get student artwork (portraits of me), Christmas treats, and end-of-year gifts from students! I love being the students’ favourite pup!

I am originally from Cancun Mexico, but my human’s met me at Pawsitive Match when I was just a puppy. They tell me I was timid, skinny, and had a mouth full of rotten teeth and the breath to prove it! I was afraid of people and eating out of a dog bowl. 

Now I am 8 years old and my humans tell me I am the centre of their lives. I am very social, gentle, loving and I have a goofy, toothless smile. Anyone who meets me loves to hear my success story. My humans say I am the happiest soul on the block!

Felipe was a special boy, who crossed the rainbow bridge this spring at 14 years old. Felipe was born in Cancun, Mexico. He was rescued and brought to his forever home, in sunny Calgary. In his prime, Felipe was quite the dog park aficionado, proudly leading many rambunctious games of chase and inciting absolute doggy chaos! Those were the good ol’ days when he had endless amounts of energy. More recently, he enjoyed a slow stroll around the neighborhood taking it all in. Felipe’s family believes he’s now running wild and free 

Felipe always had a very innate sense of time that he never lost. When the clock hit 8:30 pm he always reminded his parents that it was time for a sweet treat before bed. He always had a great deal of doggie discipline, often walking away from treats and food, knowing that someone even better would arrive if he was patient. 

His family are heartbroken, and miss his presence dearly every day. They believe he’s now running wild and free to his heart’s content, as that was what he loved most.

We’re Gracie and Darci, a mighty pack of Sheltie’s that just love lovin’ on the many humans in our lives, and we’ve gotten to know MANY over the years. What a life! We’ve had some very special jobs as therapy dogs. Gracie helped kids feel more calm at mom’s school, while I (Darcie) worked the emergency room at the Peter Lougheed Centre. It was a scary place at times, but I was always game to cheer up the humans when they needed it most. I really loved the doctors and nurses there. They actually told my mom to nominate us to be featured on this pint! 

My mom says that dogs like us make a big impact. One pet and snuggle at a time, what’s not to love about being a therapy dog! She says we’re retired now, which means we get to spend quiet days lounging in the sun, and going on fun travel adventures. 

Hamlet

My name is Hamlet and I was born on Valentine’s Day, the runt of the litter, so I earned this very Shakespearean name. I didn’t let being the runt hold me back though: I’m true royalty, with a touch of jester. Royalty: please feed me a fine feast of broccoli and liver and I’ll sleep at the head of the bed only, please. Jester: watch how fast I can run off-leash, entertain children, and swim “majestically” (isn’t it obvious with this beach bod). 

My human brother was what inspired my family to take me in, him having a thing with pugs and all. I think he had a fine instinct and we’re the best of friends now. I also think I fill the role of family therapist just fine. 

Fernanda

I am Fernanda. My family had been searching for the “missing piece” before we crossed paths. I was sure to leap right into my mom’s arms when I chose her, and low and behold, it worked and I was adopted! A rescue agency rescued me from Mexico, and so it took me a while before I could officially become part of the family— 8 long months to be exact—but they were so patient waiting for me, and I’m forever grateful. 

These days I can be found showing off my fancy tricks on my tippies when it’s food time, and I hear that my jumping height is quite impressive. I like to burrow and curl up into the tiniest of balls to keep warm. If I could crawl into your pocket I would. Can you make that happen, please? My favourite food you might ask? Persimmon! I have the most refined palate. 

You can call me Henley— named after Don Henley of the Eagles—one of the greatest bands of all time. I love it when I hear them on the radio. You can also call me the ‘Prince of Inglewood’. Next time you’re walking along 9th ave, look out for me strutting down the sidewalk with my shining golden coat and a green frisbee in my mouth, or sitting patiently outside Rosso while my mom and dad get their weekend coffee. 

My parents say that my personality is as bright as my golden coat. I just love to smile, and I think it’s pretty neat that I have the ability to make humans smile too. When I catch their eye, I patiently wait for a showering of pets and scratches, and I pay it forward with lots of warm kisses. I was accepted into the PALS program as a therapy dog. My volunteer work with PALS helps me make people feel more joy! My dream is to one day get to volunteer at the Calgary Airport to welcome all the passengers to my city. 

My family and I are inseparable. From snuggling on the couch and watching a movie, to swimming and camping, visiting breweries, road trips and more. I think I’ve taught them about unconditional love, and how to appreciate all life has to offer. I became a big brother this year! I’ve loved getting to know this tiny little human that has already become my best friend. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It was tough news for my family, but I’ve approached treatment with a positive outlook— and it hasn’t slowed me down one bit. Although it’s been hard, I’m now in remission and we’re hopeful we can continue to live out a long life full of adventure together.

I am a self proclaimed, Dog of Village. Why, you might ask? Well, my mom and dad take me there regularly. They tell me it’s where they had their first date and had it not been for that day, we might not be the family that we are today. 

You could say that I’m made of sugar—I love my humans with all my heart. My mom and I met when she was in University, and I happily filled the role of therapy dog, that was until I needed her more than she needed me. One day I had a bad encounter with another much larger dog. All is OK now, so long as I have my family and green bear nearby (my beloved stuffed cuddle buddy).

It’s Jabba here, “Jabba the butt” as my parents call me. 

I am the sweetest, outgoing Corgi boy. My parents think I was a firefighter in my past life, they might be right. When I see a fire truck, I can’t contain my excitement. I mimic the ‘awooo” of the truck, and cheer them on as they go about their important work. 

About a year ago, I was chilling on the deck, watching the traffic go by while my hammy (Jabba for grammy) knitted nearby. I saw an elderly human man fall outside of our house, and I jumped into action. I saw that he wasn’t moving, and I was so worried! I came inside and started barking and making a fuss to get my hammy’s attention. I don’t normally bark, so she came straight away to see what was wrong. She was able to save the man, and I’m so happy that we could work together that day to help him. 

My mom brought me into her life when it was COVID and so many people were staying home alone. She was unfortunately laid off from work, so I helped her get through the long days and reminded her that this was only temporary – not my love though! We became the closest of friends during that time.

You can call me “Kissy Face”. If you didn’t already guess it, it’s because I love to share kisses with anyone I cross, human or canine. I am a big boy at 94 lbs, but don’t let that scare you. I’m 100% a gentle boy, full of the purest love to share. 

I came into my family’s life after my mom was injured in a very serious accident a few years ago suffering a severe head injury. Before me, my mom had a dog named Duke. He sadly crossed the rainbow bridge after a fight with cancer, and I was adopted shortly after. My given name was Allen, but my mom renamed me after St. Jude, the Patron Saint of hope in times of despair because I came to rescue her during such a difficult time. She’s still recovering from her accident, but she says I give her the strength to put one foot in front of the other. 

My other special talent is that I help other dogs. I am a blood donor with the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, and I am what’s called a Universal Donor because I am blood type o-negative. It’s so cool to be able to help dogs when they need it most. 

You might recognize Lake and Clyde as two of Calgary’s finest shop dogs, clocking their hours at the beloved community shops Plant, Recess, and Plant Plant in Inglewood. Sadly both pups have crossed the rainbow bridge, leaving behind a community of folks missing these sweet souls.

Lake was an adventurous, mischievous, and independent gal who loved to do laps around the shops looking for scratches. If all else failed, flopping herself right in front of the doorway would do and guests would have no choice but to say hello. She especially liked to follow strollers, where snacks were usually well within reach. Known to snag a lunch or leftover or two, Lake seemed to have mastered the art of the “doggie bag”. Most of all, Lake was so very loving. When it came to giving or receiving, the limit simply did not exist. 

Clyde was a shy, sweet, and gentle boy. He would make you earn his love, but once you caught it, there was no better feeling. Clyde would join his sister on many of her adventures, but mostly preferred to hang out with friends and coworkers at the shop. Clyde too loved to steal head pats, butt scratches, the occasional yogurt container or pizza crusts (see Lake’s favourite shop activities), or any snack you’d be willing to share. Clyde was famous for his gift of gab, starting each work day with a communal song/howl.

Both pups loved spending every Monday (their day off) running freely in the mountains, their favourite place—next to stealing snacks in the shop of course. In the winter, they embraced the snow by rolling full body into the white stuff and in the summer frequent visits to the river were in order as well as visits to the family cabin. All the things that dogs love in abundance: swimming, boating, and naps in the grass for days on end. Lake and Clyde’s parents cherish these vacations together most. One visit to Tofino is most memorable, where they both ran, jumped, and played on the most beautiful of beaches. You never did see two happier pups. 

It’s undeniable the immeasurable joy they have brought to their family’s lives. Every moment from simpler days, to the life-changing events, they were right there beside them. They helped them live life more fully, more adventurously, and more slowly and purposefully. They loved being able to share their endless love with family, friends, staff and customers. To have had them so well loved in return, has been a gift like no other.

Check us out, we’re Lebron and Hamilton, the greatest Great Dane duo you’ve ever seen! Our personalities are quite the opposite, but we still live up to the “gentle giant” persona. We demand attention wherever we go, often stopping people in their tracks. If we can share one thing with you, it’s that dogs are more than just pets. We remind our family and friends that the richest treasures in life are not found in material possessions, but in the precious moments shared with those we love. 

Lebron

Let us share a little bit more about ourselves. My name is Lebron and I’m a total mama’s boy (see: velcro dog). I prefer to live life by my mom’s side, and her by mine. I could spend all day staring into her eyes. I approach my days with a gentle, laid-back demeanor, unlike my brother. You can find me stopping to smell the dandelions and catching a sun-filled nap on the deck. I don’t need the spotlight, I prefer to take in the world slowly and with a great ease. If it’s love I’m looking for, I’ll come park my head on your knee, sneak a sweet glance over the side of the bed, or if all else fails, invade your personal space to get a head scratch or two. 

The best things in life are the simple pleasures, those quiet moments in between the every-day. I’ve taught my mom the art of slowing down, of savoring the quiet beauty in the moments that might otherwise slip by unnoticed. On the other hand, my brother Hamilton brings boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, teaching us that there is joy to be felt in even the most mundane of activities. He helps us feel laughter and light, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. That life is a grand adventure, meant to be embraced with open arms and a playful heart. 

Hamilton

I’m Hamilton, and I’m the wild one of the family. Personal space, never heard of it. Let’s get up and go, what are you waiting for! Every day is an invitation to feel joy and excitement! Pedal to the metal, I’m living life in the fast lane. I prefer early mornings, more time to play! I don’t let my 140 lbs Great Dane frame stop me from doing the things that I love. Hopping around like a bunny, you bet! I’ll gladly show you all my tricks. My mom tells me to keep my tongue to myself, but it’s HARD not to steal kisses from the people I love. 

I’m up for any adventure. It could be cross-country skiing in Bragg Creek, hiking in Banff, or “attempting” to skate on an outdoor rink, I just want to play. Lebron says I’m his annoying little brother, I don’t let that phase me. Lebron has taught me how to cuddle though, and I can’t sleep without my special stuffy.

My mom has been involved with the Canadian Animal Task Force since 2010, and she was so excited to hear that a portion of the proceeds from this doggie pint project would support the Task Force. My mom and her amazing colleagues are all volunteers, and they work tirelessly to care for the animals who need it the most.

I am 100% spitfire and sass packed into a 10 lb sausage shaped Dachshund body.

Here are some ways I get your attention: When I see people that I love, I shout my loudest howls in excitement. I greet you at the front door with one of my beloved hedgehog toys in my mouth. One of my other personal favourites: fake sneezing. It’s a sneeze, but fake.

Don’t ever underestimate me—I once took on a coyote (to my mom’s surprise and horror). I walked away with a few stitches, but you should have seen the other guy. 

I’m the best hype man, I’ll always give you a “woowoo” when I think you need it, or just to add my encouragement. 

When I spot a nice human with a blanket to burrow under, you’ll find me cuddling right up next to you (staticky ears included).

My mom and I met when she was going through a bad time. She says I was a shining light during her darkest days, and now I’m her partner in crime on her best days. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. It really is true that dogs make the bestest of best friends. 

My name is Hiro, and I’m going to tell you a little about me and my uncle, Lucky.

Lucky came into my family’s life when he was 8 years old. He sadly crossed the rainbow bridge recently at the age of 18. My family and I miss him dearly, but we take solace in knowing that he lived a very full life. We honour his memory when we think of all the time that we spent together. 

Lucky loved life indoors and outdoors: driving with the windows down, walking off leash at his own pace, frolicking on the green grass and sunbathing by the backdoor. He loved taking life in through the window overlooking the driveway, and I miss seeing him in one of his many favourite nap spots throughout the house. 

Once Lucky started to walk a little slower, I kept a close eye on him. You could say Lucky was an influencer, because he turned my whole family into dog lovers. I have him to thank for bringing me into the family. My humans miss being able to hug Lucky to their heart’s content, so I’ve worked hard to be a gentle boy offering all the love that I have to give.

My family talks about how adopting dogs can be such a rewarding experience. They provide us with the love that we need to become the best version of ourselves, silly and fun-loving. I’m from the Philippines, and it’s my heroic background which inspired my name, “Hiro”. One day, I came across a stray dog that was hurt. I wanted to get him help, so I did my best to get the attention of passersby so someone could help him. Around the same time, an organization called Pawssion Project found me. Pawssion Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of abused and neglected animals in the Philippines. I was adopted and moved to Canada in 2021. 

I love my new life here in Canada, I even love the snow. Running in and burying myself in the snow is one of my favourite things. I may put up a fight and express my displeasure with my loud bark, but I’m working on embracing all that my new life has to offer. Even if it means I need to have my nails trimmed sometimes. 

I can be a shy dog at first but once you get to know me I’m the life of the dog party. My name is Luna and I’m a rescue from northern Saskatchewan. My kindness and caring nature is what I’m most proud of, with my doggy superpower of having a third sense for my human family’s health. I am always in tune to help or care for them whenever they need it. Maybe they need companionship or simply SNUGGLES, I love snuggles! I am always there for my family to remind them that everything will always be alright!

When my human siblings are sick or having a hard time I am very protective and try my very best to shower them with love and affection. I also love playing with them. Some of my favourite games would be hide and seek or wrestling! Or destroying their stuffies but shhhh that one I keep on the low!

My humans call me Dog—they say it fits my wild but quiet personality a little better. I am quiet, thoughtful and beautiful. But I can also be a turbocharged ball of fun, turning the mundane into the unforgettable! 

I live a very active life with my human and am a Strava-certified Olympic training and mountain partner. When Canada’s speed skating team hits the training camps, I’m tearing up trails in Fernie, running intervals in Bragg Creek, and riding shotgun in the coach’s van while my human does thousands of miles on her road bike. 

My human says that I will outwork anyone, no matter how hard they try. Freezing rain? No problem. 2 am? Sure thing. I’m there—cracking whips and turning every moment into a grin-inducing spectacle for the entirety of Team Canada. I am all in, spreading joy like confetti!

Max

My name is Max, and this is my little brother Roo. We might look like an unlikely match, but let’s just say we stick together like glue. One time we “accidentally” slipped through the fence and oh what fun did we have exploring the neighborhood together! It was Roo’s idea, I just went along with it, but we can do anything as long as we stick together. I hear my personality is a little like Eeyore, whoever that is, but I’m just happy to do my own thing. If it suits you, you can give me scratchies. 

Roo

I’m Roo, and I grew up in sunny California. My life wasn’t so good there, but the people at Pawsitive Match brought me to Canada to have a second chance at a better life and I got it! My current mom fostered me and I quickly became a “foster fail”. We’ve gotten pretty close over the years and I have tried my hardest to provide her all the love and support that she could ever need. In return, she has given me a great life here in Calgary. What my new home is lacking in California heat, it totally makes up for in love, and that’s what really matters. You might have guessed, snow just isn’t my thing.  

My mom is the head chef at Village Ice Cream—so cool right?! Max and I feel pretty lucky to call her our mom. She told us that all this celebrating of us dogs and a pint of our very own ice cream is because of all the hard work and dedication of the great staff at Village, plus they just really like dogs and animals.

I may be only 7 months old, but I’m already a busy boy; I’m a puppy in training with CNIB Guide Dogs! My humans tell me that I am a very smart dog and am well on my way to becoming a future guide dog that will change someone’s life someday. This summer I will head off to my formal training at the Canine Campus where I will learn all the skills I need to become a partner in mobility for a person who is blind.

Learning how to be a guide dog is fun because I get to do EVERYTHING with my humans! We go to school, restaurants, and malls together and they tell me that I have made their lives so much richer. Meeting new people and experiencing new environments helps me learn how to be the best guide dog that I can be.

When I am not working, I am a total goofball and love spending time cuddling with my humans and making them smile. They say that I am a growing boy and not much of a lap dog anymore—respectfully, I disagree.

To help support dogs like me who give freedom and independence to a person with slight loss—visit cnib.ca/puppyraising

You might think that I look a little bit different than other dogs, but I think this is part of my super-paw-er. My name is Milton and I am a blind boy with the biggest heart of gold. Don’t think for a second that I feel any differently than other dogs. I don’t let being blind change my outlook on life, I’m just so happy to go about my days doing all the things that dogs love to do. I might not be able to see you, but I can feel your presence and I’ll give you my full attention. My parents swear that I can “see” people. 

I hold a special place in my parents’ hearts. They are such wonderful people that agreed to foster me, and once they met me, they were hooked. They did what is called “foster failing” which means they fully adopted me when they didn’t expect to. Now our lives are perfectly intertwined, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them!

Nyla here, certified good girl. You can tell I’m excited to see you when my tail just won’t stop. I can’t help it, I love making people happy.

My parents became my foster parents when I was rescued by the nice people at the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS). At the time, I was quite malnourished from nursing 16 puppies. If you think 16 sounds like a lot, it is. I was caring for my own babies, and babies from another litter. I also had a run in with a porcupine, and had quills embedded in my face. I was very scared, and very alone.

I had to undergo over half a dozen surgeries, and my foster family was so kind and patient with me while I recovered. Slowly, I started to trust people and became more and more accustomed to my new life which has turned out to be pretty great. When I received my first toy, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Now I’ve learned to trust humans, and I greet each one with an excited smile and endless wags. 

Like my name Odin, I have some god-like superpowers and athletic skills! One of my crazy doggy superpowers is my extreme scent detection, and I can identify and track any scent from great distances away—hiding from me is futile as I am one of the best. In another life I must have been an Olympic diver because of my amazing dock diving skills. Water is so exhilarating to me if I see a body of water near me you know I have to make a BIG SPLASH! I hold 16 titles from various sniffy sports, dock diving, NASDA, tricks and CKC Sprinters and counting. My mom says I might just be the most decorated doodle in Canada. In my community, I’m known as a “snifferdoodle” or by “whitewalker-doodle” because of my striking eyes.

My friends know me for my goofy personality and my bag of doggy tricks I use to charm people. I am a very direct dog and when I want something I use my cool request buttons. That, combined with my contagious charm and charisma, let me win peoples’ hearts and get what I want! I’m very proud of the motivation and happiness I have given to my human and the adventure and memories I have gotten to make with her.

My humans call me the “old man” of Bridgeland, but I prefer to think of myself as the celebrity of Bridgeland! I just walk down the street and it seems like the whole neighborhood knows who I am! My humans say that’s because I used to be quite the character and I wasn’t afraid to show it. Whether napping beside my humans or stealing a bite of their food, I always like to be around them. They tell me I bring so much joy into their lives.

Now that I am 16 (turning 17 this summer), I spend most of my time eating, walking, and my absolute favourite—napping on the sofa between mum and dad! Last summer I had to have two pretty risky surgeries so you may notice I only have one eye, but that hasn’t slowed me down. My sniffer works great and it’s all I need to make my way around.

Otis here! I am a sheepadoodle that loves to herd dogs in my free time and I love hanging out with Old English Sheepdogs. They are so wise! When I am not herding dogs you can find me at the STARS Emergency Link Centre going from station to station socializing with humans and spreading affection and joy wherever I can. In return I get pets, head scratches and TREATS! In my downtime I like to take naps under the desk or cuddle with my parents.

I have a talent: my presence alone helps people feel less stress. I am basically a therapy dog just without the credentials. I love a lot of things, however taking photos is not one of them. People might say I’m photogenic but nope get the camera away from this dog! I do love deep conversations where I am the listener and there for unconditional support and love!

I’m an older Pomeranian gal that has had an interesting life. I wasn’t always this fancy, in fact I once had a pretty tough life. I got my start in a home with over 50 other dogs. The people from the Calgary Humane Society rescued me from this situation and I am grateful for their help. Unfortunately I was not well cared for—I was very hungry and I had to have a surgery to have all my teeth removed. My eyes were in bad shape too.

Dogs are some of the most resilient creatures, and my story is a testament to how love can heal a broken heart. When I first laid eyes on my potential new family, I was sure to let them know that I wanted to go home with them. Luckily for me, my dream came true. They named me Porsche (pronounced Por-sha) like the luxury car brand. I must say it suits me perfectly because my family was determined to give me the princess life that I deserved. I’ve since healed from my trauma, and I’m fully embracing my new beginning. 

My family was wanting a dog, specifically a Pomeranian, for a long time before I came into their life. I am sure to pay it forward with all the love and care that I can give. I even try my best to be a personal sized security guard, anything to protect my family. 

These days, life is easy and fun. My family takes me everywhere with them, from the mall, to family vacations, parties, road trips and more. I have a very fancy dog bag that I get to ride in, so I just wait patiently by it when it looks like people are getting ready to leave. I’m always the best girl when we’re out and about together.

You probably noticed my super cool hair—so cool it even got me on a T.V. commercial! But that’s just one of my many attributes. I love to go hiking with my humans and compete in weight-pull competitions. I won my last competition pulling 2040 lbs. I am SUPER strong! 

When I am not busy making TV appearances or showing off my super-dog strength, I like being goofy and making my humans laugh. You will find me zooming across my yard, bugging my brother Arby, or just hanging by my mom’s side. My Mom owns a local grooming salon (hence my incredible hair) and I love going to work with her every day.

Ricky here, an amazing tri-pawed sensation! 

I’m so thankful for the folks at Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, they helped bring my new family into my life. My family was looking for a gentle and slower paced dog to support my mom, who has limited mobility. I understood my assignment and I have a great life, but let it be known: my missing a leg doesn’t slow me down one bit. 

Life is so full of amazement! Humans: the best. I am so lucky to have so many nice neighbours that love to come and say hello when I pass by. Flowers and trees— how could I not stop and sniff every single one. I show my family that life is so sweet, stop and smell the roses and take in every moment with splendor. If my mom is having a hard day, I take it upon myself to be my silly self until they can’t help themselves and laugh out loud and smile. Mission accomplished. 

River here, or as my mom calls me, a sweet angel sent from the heavens. I am a rescue dog that has earned the love from my mom, and so many of her friends (both human and canine). My mom’s colleagues love it when I come around, and I’m well known around there. 

I just love everyone, and I have such a “gentle giant” spirit. My mom says that I’ve made everything in her life so much better, I just want to fill the world with more patience, kindness, and love! I try everyday to show her just how much I appreciate her love and that she brought us together. I just love the adventures that we go on together. I think that humans need more love, so I approach them with the biggest, cheesiest River grin. 

My doggie brother is Charlie, you might think that we’re an unlikely couple, with him standing under a foot tall. Size doesn’t matter to me though because all dogs are the best dogs. I’m trying my best to teach Charlie to be nice to humans and other dogs, modeling my very best patience around him. He’s really working hard, so he deserves all the tasty treats!

My humans rescued me when I was just a wee pup. They tell me I was pretty rambunctious at the time, but I was a sweet girl at heart and I won them over with my kind and loving personality. Since then, I have become a registered emotional therapy dog with PALS and I have done all kinds of cool stuff like visit senior centers and continuing care facilities. I have even visited Calgary libraries where children can read books to me! 

My resume doesn’t stop there! In 2020 I worked as a service dog to help my human through a tough time and we became closer than ever. Last December I went through my own tough time, when I was hit by a car. This gave my humans quite the fright! Thanks to the folks at the VCA I made a full recovery. My humans say I am the strongest dog they have ever met. 

My humans and I do everything together. Our dream is to work with PALS at the Children’s Hospital so that I can bring happiness to even more people. 

My name is Skye, and I’m a purebred Samoyed. My pure white fluffy coat is my claim to fame and wouldn’t you believe it, I’m Canada’s #1 Show Samoyed of 2023. Being a working dog means that my family and I keep very busy traveling to dog shows to earn CKC titles. I compete at the Master’s Level of Scent Detection, Open Barn Hunt, Agility, and I’ve completed my Level 1 of Urban Locate, Shed Dog, and Lost Items Search. Being a Sporting Dog is a lot of fun for an energetic good boy like me.

To be clear, I may look and sound like a fancy dog, but I’m still 100% dog. I like to make a grand entrance at home with a big “ArooRoo” howl, this is the surest way to guarantee lots of back scratches. Us dogs love our scratchies. Something else that makes us dogs so special is our ability to love and care for our humans. At my house, my mom takes care of my grandma who has dementia. I also keep a watchful eye over her, because I know that grandma needs extra care and love.

My family says I’m more than just a pet, I’m their cherished companion with a unique charm.

My name is Skye—my most unique feature are my “ghost eyes”, each adorned with a different colour. My eyes tell a story of resilience. I’m a proud rescue pup with a reserved disposition, having faced some challenges finding my forever home. That is until my family opened their arms, their hearts and their home to me.

The decision for my family to adopt me turned out to be a serendipitous moment. With ease, I wove myself into the fabric of their lives. I filled my home with unbridled joy, quickly forming the tightest of bonds with my human siblings, becoming their playmate and confidante. I also gained a canine sibling in my new family, and we have formed a harmonious bond. I have shown my family that love knows no bounds, transcending the conventional definitions of a family. 

I am a little shadow that’ll follow you around with unwavering devotion. I have mastered the art of sighing, which is my charming expression of my desire for your attention. I’m embracing my new life with ease, a reminder of the transformative power of compassion, and a living reminder of the joy that comes from adopting a rescue dog like me.

Hello, my name is Tater Tot. You heard it right, like the small fried potato snacks, but mostly due to my size. Once you get to 17 years old, you tend to really know what you like. Take cheese for example, while a plain cheddar is too simple for a gentleman like me, an aged parmesan is just right. To tell you the truth, I don’t have any teeth left, so a little taste of ice cream is really what suits me best.

My mom is my whole world. She’s the reason I currently hold a very professional job in Human Resources. While she’s normally tapping away, I take my post under her desk, napping most of the day away. I don’t know what you humans have to complain about, work is so easy. It’s fun to commute downtown with my mom every day. I’m grateful to keep close to her side. On the note of staying close, when we get home I love to take in a little Netflix. It’s my cue to take my cuddle spot on the couch. 

I’ve had quite the life, but my current one suits me just fine. My mom adopted me from Calgary Humane Society as a senior dog, and boy am I glad she did. She’s determined to give a small senior dog like me the very best retirement plan. She’s proof that all dogs deserve love. I hope that she inspires other people to take in senior dogs like me. I pay it forward with companionship and love, and I know that brings her so much happiness.

My human first saw me at the Cochrane and Area Humane Society and they say they aren’t sure who rescued who…it was love at first sight! Now, as a therapy dog with PALS, I get to bring that same feeling to others and I must say, I love the attention! My humans say it’s my job in life to have as many people pet me as possible and to help them feel calm and happy. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it! 

For the most part, I am a quiet girl who enjoys spending time with my humans and going on special visits with PALS. But I also love to run around and play with bigger dogs, and my quiet personality goes straight out the window when I see a squirrel or a rabbit. My humans laugh as I bounce off the bigger dogs trying to keep up with them, but these little legs of mine can only go so fast!

Trouble is my middle name. My mom is always calling me, interrupting me from my daily exploits. Why does she always need to know where I am? She should know I’m trying my best to be a good boy. 

My mom has a super cool job as a teacher for a veterinary technical assistant program. The best part? I get to go along with her to help out all the students with their work. They get to practice handling a big dog like me and I make sure to always be on my best behavior. My mom says I’m one of the most gentle boys she’s come across, and she’s helped a lot of animals over the years. 

Sure, I might move the projector around the room when I’m not supposed to, wrestle with my brother sometimes, or maybe snack on the occasional exam, but honestly, I really am trying my best to be a good boy! I’m sorry mom for the one time I cleared out the class when I passed gas, I couldn’t help it!

I’m a rescue from the “ruff” streets of south LA, but don’t get me wrong, I’m a little dog with a big heart. My human mom found me at Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, where she was volunteering at the time. She agreed to give me a break from the shelter for a day and boy did I need it. That one night has turned into four of the best years. 

I started from the bottom, and now I’m here…here being the quiet luxury of multiple doggy beds and artisanal snacks. I still get a bit nervous around new humans and dogs, but I must admit that kids always have my heart. They drop so much food!

My humans say that I’m made of pure sugar – which would explain why I no longer have any teeth. My passion is napping and with lots of practice I’m finally up to 20 hrs a day. Don’t worry, I always come to say my good nights before I retire for the evening. 

When I got here, my human dad said he wasn’t a “little dog” guy. It only took a month before he started buying me sweaters. He always makes sure that I’m wearing my best bow tie on special occasions. I’m even teaching him how to nap more. We’re like two peas in a pod. 

While I do prefer indoor comforts, occasionally I will explore the great outdoors and even go camping with the right motivation…hot dogs.  

Because of my amazing doggy street smarts, I’m a quick learner of tricks, obstacles and puzzles. What can I say, I got that DOG in me!