Million Acts of Kindness Tour Kick Off Event

Today's blog is from our Team Toby event coordinator extraordinaire Julie!.

Photo Credit Team Toby

The Million Acts of Kindness tour

​, created by North Vancouver resident Charmaine Hammond,​

 kicked off at the end of August in Port Coquitlam.

​

 Our amazing sponsor, Petland Canada, kindly hosted the event at their store location and celebrated 

​the

 launch

​ with us​

. Toby the dog, and star of this tour, had the opportunity to meet some of his fans, as well as give-away copies of his book “Toby Says ‘Be A Buddy, Not A Bully’” and “Toby and His Hospital Friends” to students and children that came to the store. Petland Canada

​​

​ participated​

 in the Twoonie for Team Toby campaign, 

​and ​

s

​old​

 cut out paper pawprints for $2, with all funds supporting donations of Toby's books and classroom resources into local schools.
 

Photo Credit Team Toby

Anticipation was building the closer we got to our take-off time, but the team was really excited to hit the open road in the Kindness RV sponsored by our friends at Fraserway RV!

​ ​

Our first stop on the tour was beautiful Kamloops, and we took off, 

​driving​

​

 into the sunset towards interior BC. Despite enjoying the scenic views from our 

​Fraserway

 RV

​,​

 we were happy to arrive to our first destination safely, and we pulled into the Best Western Kamloops for the night.

Photo Credit Team Toby

Wired from the excitement from the launch of the tour, I didn’t think I would get any sleep that night. But I was pleasantly surprised! It had been a while since I slid into a king sized bed with multiple excessively plush pillows, which instantly put my body into relaxation mode. Not surprising for a hotel that has hosted dog-whisperer icon Cesar Millan. It didn’t take long before I was seeing Z’s. Charmaine, Ch

​r​

is and Toby had a restful sleep in the RV. The generosity of this hotel 

​was

 greatly appreciated, this was the second year that they hosted Team Toby.

Photo Credit Team Toby

The next morning, I had a chance to meet the general manager Tim at the front desk. He and his staff took some time out of their day to show me around the hotel and impressed me with their love for animals. Not only did they double their pet-friendly rooms within the last year, but they renovated all their pet-friendly rooms to hardware floors! Toby gave his bark of approval and promised the staff he’d see them again on his next visit to Kamloops, and the team took off to our next stop.

​

Written by Julie Angeletti, Team Toby

Photo Credit Team Toby

Dog on national tour to spread kindness and prevent bullying

Photo Credit Airdrie Echo newspaper

Check me out!

I'm a traveling dog.

Traveling dog with a blog!

And

I'm on a mission to spread kindness.

We just finished the first leg of the tour in Alberta and BC Canada

Now, in October, Bully Prevention Month, we are touring Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

I'll be filming the whole tour with my very own GoPro video camera.

Capturing kindness...animal human bond... lessons dogs teach people...and the places we eat, stay and play.

Would you like me to come to your school?

How about your workplace?

Want to have your business featured in our tour?

Contact me to get your community, school and business on the PAWS Across Canada map!

Together we can make a difference.  We'll also be raising funds and awareness for local shelters and rescues with our Twoonie for Team Toby fundraiser.  Watch our website to get involved  www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com

Dogs, sports and fun! Sports you can enjoy with your pet.

Here I am!
Toby the dog.
A dog with a blog.

What activities and sports does your dog love?

I love.....

Playing Fetch!

and

Races!

and

Water sports....
and

Swimming....

And I can wait to try Dock Diving next!

Mom talked to  Heather McLeod the president of Ruffsport.  

She is Sport Mutt certified and trains with using her positive training program. This program focus's on being positive rather than being permissive.

Heather is going to be on my PAWSitive Radio show where she'll be talking about the
benefits of positive training, how to prepare yourself and your pet for sports activities, and how to build trust and effective communication with your dog so that the sport activity is fun for everyone!

Did you know that participating in sports with your dog is not only great exercise and fun?  It also helps build a stronger animal human bond, improves trust and confidence, and allows the dog to continue learning and developing skills.

I can't wait to try dock-diving and Frisbee.  I think I'll be pawsome at both.

Don't forget to tune into the show, and click the FOLLOW button on the show page so you get updates about our upcoming shows and pawsome guests.  Share your comments on this blog about the sports and activities you enjoy with your pet. 

Zuke's is fuelling the love!

Did you get a chance to listen to mom interviewing Chris from Zuke's?

This is Chris from Zuke's with his best friends

You should take a listen.

They have great dog treats that are healthy! And super cool news...my doggie daycare sells them.

Yup!  Dogspaw in Edmonton. Totally can't wait until my next trip there!  I'll be sniffing those out for sure.

 Zuke's started because of a dog! that's right, another dog named Zuke became the inspiration for a business (just like how I inspire mom to write books).  Not only did Zuke inspire the business and healthy treats, he also inspired a fund that helps dogs and cats with cancer.  Zuke's is saving lives.

Big bark out to Zuke's for all you do to make our world a better place

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2014/02/26/zukes-fuel-the-love-keeping-staff-volunteers-engaged-at-work

To order a copy of Toby’s books, or find out more about Charmaine and Team Toby, visit his website at: www.TheOriginalTeamtoby.com 

Come and find, follow and LIKE us on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalTeamToby

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeamToby2

Share your favorite story about how an animal taught you a life lesson...We want to hear how your pets have inspired you!

Winter activities for you and your dog

Winter's Here. 

What are some of your favorite activities to do with your dog during the long winter months?

How about the fun photos with Santa Paws?

Toby with Santa PAWS at Stella Dog Animal Academy

How about creating fun videos on Jib Jab?

http://www.jibjab.com/view/QHRa8gBcRpSivbBPCRXR4A

 

 and how about this one?

http://www.jibjab.com/view/VYXJvujNRKON0BPAcBT_aA

 

 

 Or maybe... Skijoring...

 Toby's other favorite game is to hide his KONG in the snow then go dig it out.

What's you pet's most favorite snow and winter activity?

 

Women in the Pet Industry

A Blog from a dog... Life through Toby's eyes

Us dogs make great connectors for you humans... You are always talkin' about us and swapping pet stories. I figure there should be a place where you all can hang out, we have the dog park and offleash parks. Mom joined a group called Women in the Pet Industry Network. I'm going out to find my kong, she'll fill you in.

..............

Charmaine here... Always nice when our dog passes the blog to me so I can have a turn writing... Shawna Schuh is a CSP professional speaker and leads the Women in the Pet Industry Network, which is the only cross category network serving all levels and types of pet professionals in the world. 

Their members are everyone from pet product manufacturers to pet sitters, groomers, authors and pet loss experts and retailers.  They represent all kinds of animals and all types of people so the network realty is a diverse, interesting, supportive and fun network.  WIPIN’s philosophies are to grow (ourselves and each other and the network), to give to each other, which is the focus our pets teach us, and to connect in various ways for mutual benefit.  www.Womeninthepetindustry.com

Building a strong business is one of the themes Shawna sees in members, as well as the desire to be connected to others in the same industry but in different niches.  The network has annual events, learning opportunities for members, and an extremely active group on facebook. Members also receive a member profile page, here is an example..               http://womeninthepetindustry.com/directory/authors-writers-publishers/charmainehammond/

I have found that there is an incredible amount of information shared about events that are taking place around the world such as pet expos, blogger conferences,  and offers connections to other associations in the animal world.

I'm back, no one to play fetch with, so I come inside to get mom.   You can listen to mom's conversation with Shawna on November 26 on PAWsitive Radio. 

PAWsitive Radio- Line Up of Animal Experts, Pet Lovers and More!

YES! Radio is going to the dogs…and the cats… and the gerbils and budgies. PAWsitive Radio- all things pets, hosted by CharmaineHammond and Team Toby, bring together conversations of kindness, acceptance and respect,  the lessons animal teach humans and how people can apply this in their own personal and professional life.

PAWsitive Radio airs weekly on Blog Talk Radio...a global internet based radio platform

Hammond launched PAWsitive Radio show over 1 ½ years  ago and has never looked back.  “The show is a powerful way to connect the animal stories and lessons to our personal and professional lives. In fact, our dog Toby taught me so much about how to show up as my best version of myself, that I also wrote several books about him, and, weave these stories into the presentations and training programs on resilience and bully prevention. PAWsitive Radio is another way of sharing these stories, and, connect experts in the animal world to families with pets. The show helps me fulfill Team Toby’s mission of improving lives by teaching kindness, acceptance and respect.”

PAWsitive Radio- all things Pets! has a great 

fall lineup of guests:

Photo Credit WhiskerDocs.com

October 15, 2013 guest Trevor (Trevor the Pet Guy) and president of whiskerDocs  is a sought after media guest talking and   animal behavior expert on topics such as dog flipping, bringing home a new puppy, the pethuman emotional connection, selecting the right pet for your family and more. 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2013/10/16/whisker-docs-trevor-the-pet-guy

Photo Credit: Lynn Molnar

October 29, 2013  guest Lynn Molnar is the president of Thankful Paws. It was her compassion for pets and people that led her to establish the first ever mobile food bank for pets in Maryland. Under her leadership, Thankful Paws has expanded its services to include the first ever hotline for homeless people with pets. In less than two years, Lynn has helped distribute nearly 30 tons of pet food.  

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2013/10/30/thankful-paws-mobile-food-bank-for-pets

 

Photo Credit: Jean Holmes

November 5, 2013, Guest Jean Holmes, author of Do Dogs Go To Heaven,  a veterinarian's daughter, whose mom raised and showed AKC Dachshunds, Jean has never been without at least one pet, from horses to crows.  When her mother lived with her and began asking ministers if dogs went to heaven, she began collecting information which resulted in her first published book.   "Do Dogs Go to Heaven? Eternal Answers for Animal Lovers" was the result.  The second edition came out in 2012.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2013/10/09/do-dogs-go-to-heaven

Coming Up soon:

Guest  Marilyn Dickie, author of With Hope They Waited, which shares the story of rescue at Mile 26. Somewhere between 100 & 200 dogs had been orphaned when their only human caretaker died in a cabin fire. He lived in the bush along the railroad tracks, north of Cochrane Ontario, where the only access was by train. The names and contact information of a few of the rescues involved, and a Facebook page were given out where the public could find out what they could do to help. On that day, their lives took another turn and have never been the same.

Guest Jeanne E Sexson will be talking about her website Stop Chasing Your Own Tail- our dogs, our friends, our teachers. Jeanne is a  national motivational speaker and author who combines her love and respect for animals and a fascination with how they respond to their experiences. She has found this gratifying to note how the quality of her life has been enhanced by the lessons they have taught, and continue to teach, her.  As a sculptor, she created the Best Friends Collection – small sculptures capturing those irresistible moments of joy when we allow ourselves to simply live in the moment and feel the unconditional love of our furry buddies.

Charmaine Hammond, host of PAWsitive Radio show is a professional speaker and has interviewed more than 300 guests on her shows. She is a Blog Talk Radio featured host, and her show PAWsitive Radio also airs on Dog Works Radio channel. 

Contact:

Christopher Alcock, CEO and Top Dog of Team Toby

info@theoriginalteamtoby.com

www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com

Coping with The Loss of a Pet

Margot Ahlquist- PAWS to Talk

Losing a family pet is really like losing a family member, your pets are your family, said our guest on PAWsitive Radio, Margot Ahlquist.

Loss is part of loving.

The loss of a family pet is often the first experience with death that children deal with. Each family member will grieve in his or her own way.  Margot suggested that it is important to allow yourself time to grieve.

When our Toby Sr. passed away, the loss was a significant one. Losing our best friend, family member and my greatest teacher took a long time to move through. Part of our coping process was putting together a photo album, and a video capturing what a legacy Toby left.  You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD81iQJDp0s

Remembering Toby....

 1 1/2 years later our hearts were ready to adopt a new furry family member. Our new four legged family member chose us.... funny how they do that. He was 11 months old, and being surrendered by his pet parents. We adopted Toby Jr. (TJ) in June 2013, he has his own personality, fun little quirks, and is leaving pawprints on our hearts.

TJ- Toby Jr.  on his first birthday. Look at that smile!

Margot provided some other tips to help families cope with the loss of a pet;
- Give yourself time and space to grieve
- Seek support from others who understand
- Talk it out
- Read books
- There are pet support groups
- Be a part of a pet community (e.g. social media)

You can listen to additional tips from Margot here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2013/09/25/coping-with-the-loss-of-a-pet