Oct. 6: Happy Birthday Scruffles!

We threw a paw-ty for Scruffles today, who turns one on Thursday. Happy Birthday, girl! We tossed a few new toys into the room - some cool straw ones that help floss their teeth - and our rope toys and rubber balls, and they've been running around all morning. Scruffles (shih tzu-bichon) has spent the morning playing leap-frog and running circles around Rupert (Maltese puppy). She's had a fun day: playing, eating cake, hanging out with her friends, and a nice walk with Pat and Scooby in the sunshine. Here's a close-up photo of her doggie bday cake, which her mom bought from Three Dog Bakery. Yum, yum... And check out this photo below. Seeing double? This is Scooby & Dempster. They're both black American cocker spaniels, meeting for the first time today, and getting along fabulously. Okay, they might not look like they're grinning for the photo, but that's because it was hard to get them to sit still together for a minute. Ha ha! Gorgeous day for walks! Blue skies, sunshine... Everyone's been out for their morning strolls, and we'll be doing some more walks in the afternoon. So this is what's been going on so far: * Pictured left: Marley, Dawson & Snuggles hanging out on the dog bed. Marley hasn't been here for a while but was especially happy to see her buddies Mika and Lexy! * Snuggles has been following Dawson around all morning. She's truly amazed by her little friend, keeping right by her side and giving her sniffs. Snuggles even had a little play with Rupert this morning (it was more like Rupert was playing with her, but she didn't mind!). * Dawson's best buddies today (other than Snuggles) are Umber (chi) and Rupert. They've been playing a little ruff-'n-tumble wrestle match, and playing chase with their tails wagging happily. * Umber has also been playing chase with Jones (Bischon) and Theodore (Yorkie). The three of them were bolting around after one another. Jones has also been playing ball with Jude (puggle), and right now is "speaking" to him with her hilarious, high-pitched, playful chit-chat. * Linus (miniature dachshound) really likes Umber, too, going up to her to play. * Rupert has also been chasing Dempster around this morning. His sister Talula hasn't been playing but is quite content, roaming around with the other dogs. * Taylor, the new Corgi puppy, has been full of energy all morning - first wrestling like mad with Rupert, and then chasing Dempster. Looks like he's starting to slow down a little now, after his morning walk. * Then we have the speedy chase-wrestle crew. This includes Winston (beagle-cross), Scooby, Jude and Dempster. They've been playing tug with the toys and chasing each other around, bounding off the ramps and literally bouncing off walls. * Buttons was hilarious on her walk today. She did her usual, leisurely stroll up the first block, doing a lot of sniffing and her potties, and then once we were on the home stretch, about a block away from the daycare, she leapt into super-charge mode, springing to the finish line like a racehorse bounding to the finish line, dragging me and Talula in her wake. * Enid (Jack Russell) also loved her walk this morning with Jones. We took them for an extra-long stroll in the sun. Did your dog eat? * Dempster ate his breakfast. More coming for lunch... * Taylor wasn't hungry for breakfast. We'll try him again at lunch time. * Scooby ate breakfast. * Linus has had some treats. * Scruffles enjoyed cake... and shared with her friends! (But not Jones, who has a sensitive tummy). Lunch * Scooby ate all his food * Buttons aswell *Rupert was super hungry and needs more food for next time * Taylor wasn't hungry at lunch either *Dawson ate all her lunch *Theodore ate all his lunch *Dempster goobled all his lunch up

Sept. 25: Welcoming Jackson to the pack!

In case you missed the announcement yesterday, Small Paws has been voted the #2 dog daycare in Vancouver in The Georgia Straight's 2009 Best of Vancouver competition.

Thanks to everyone who voted for us! We're super excited about this recognition. Small Paws is a small, family-run dog daycare that specializes in small dogs. :-) ----------- Here's the class photo for today (Friday, Sept. 25, 2009): Remember, you can click on any of the photos to view them larger, or to download to your desktop. ... And we would like to introduce a new dog to the pack: Jackson! He's an 18-month-old border terrier-cross (pictured below) who's getting along fang-tabulously with all the other dogs today, running around with the pack straight away. He's also really friendly with the humans here, and loved his walk. What a cutie! So what's been going on today? Well, the morning walks are done and the dogs have been playing chase and ball all morning. The lunches have been fed (scoll down to the bottom of this page to see if your dog ate), and we'll start round two of walks at around 2:30/3. Here's a few highlights of the morning: * Rupert (Maltese pup) is our Mr. Socialite of the day, running around with everyone and trying to entice them to play. His best friends are Henna (Boston Terrier), Emmi (Italian Greyhound), Sofie (Yorkie, pictured left) and Dempster (American cocker spaniel). Oh - and of course Dawson (chi), pictured below. * Dempster's also been having a blast running around with Heidi (shnoodle) and Rico (pug-cross). These three are a little trio of wrestle-mania/chase games. * Spike and LG have been running around with Heidi as well, but the funniest thing I've seen this morning was these two wrestling Mika (chi) and Lexy (chi cross). Little Mika went into warrior mode, snarling and trying to bite at LG's ears. All in good fun, of course. * Hey, what's with the funny face, LG? (pictured left). * Rupert's sister Talula is still a little timid, but she seems to really like Dawson, the chihuahua puppy. Talula has also been hanging out with Rosita (shih tzu), who can also be on the shy side. Both girls are great with us humans. :-) * Buttons (cockapoo) showered Sofie (Yorkie) with kisses when she came in. You don't see that every day! She also had lots of energy on her walk this morning. * Enzo (miniature dachshound) sure has become a popular little guy at daycare this week. He's made lots of new friends and is very playful.

* We haven't seen sisters Peanut (Min Pin) and Emmi (Italian Greyhound) for a while... welcome back, girls! Looks like they've been making up for lost time: Emmi has been playing wrestle with Rupert, and even Peanut was playing today - doing a pounce/paw game with Rico. * Pictured left: Rico putting a protective arm around Dawson. Sebastian (miniature poodle) also loves Dawson. They're like the cool older brothers. * Cookie and Donut (pomeranians) were a little shy coming in, but are now running around with the pack and doing a bit of playing. * Sofie (Yorkie), Max (Yorkie) and Rupert have a little wrestle-chase game going on right now. They're all so little and have a similar playing style: chase, pivot, pounce! * Theodore (Yorkie) is playing tug of war with Rico and Henna right now. Game on! Did your dog eat? * Rupert ate a little lunch. * Buttons ate all. * Rico ate all. * Henna ate all. * Dempster wasn't too hungry for breakfast but ate quite a bit for lunch. * Cookie & Donut have been eating their treats. We will feed them dinner at 5 p.m. * Sofie wasn't hungry for lunch today. * Dawson ate all. * Heidi ate all. * Max ate a little lunch. * Theodore wasn't hungry. * Sebastian wasn't hungry. * Pictured below: Cookie & Donut to the left, and Jackson, Rico, Sofie & Dempster (back row) to the right.

Small Paws voted #2 dog daycare in Vancouver!

We have some exciting news… Small Paws Doggie Daycare has been voted #2 dog daycare in all of Vancouver by some 100,000 voters in The Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver competition, announced today! Thanks to everyone who voted for us. We’re a small, family-run operation and it’s a huge accomplishment for us to gain such recognition in just 1 ½ years. Thanks again for your support! From the Small Paws team: Nigel, Katya, Pat, Judy, Angie & Maori

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And now for today's blog:

* Here's a pic of Max (Yorkie) sticking out his tongue! "Na, na, na, na, na... come 'n get me!" He's been playing lots with Jones (Bishon) this morning. Too cute. Jones has also been chasing Nikko around. Nikko's been having a blast playing with all his furry friends this week.

* Snuggles (shih tzu-cross) has been following Dawson everywhere. She was hilarious on the walk today with Pat and jumped into the mail truck to say hello. Don't worry - we know the mail lady... her dog Tuka comes here.

* Pictured left: Winston & Rupert.

* Buttons (cockapoo) also was really excited to see Tuka's mom on the walk, too, and gave her lots of kisses.

* Jude (puggle) arrived at mid-day and got the pups all re-energized! He's been running around with Winston (beagle-cross), Henna (Boston Terrier), Enzo (miniature dachshound) and Jasper & Casper (Coton de Tulear). Enzo loves wrestling with his buddy Winston!

* Henna has also been playing with Nikko and chasing/tackling Rupert (Maltese puppy). Rupert looooves Henna (the two of them pictured left).

* Dawson (chi) has been in a play-pack with her usual suspects: Ozzy (Min Pin), Mika (chi), Lexy (chi-cross), Rupert and a new contender... Enzo! Dawson has also been playing with her "bigger" buddy, Sebastian (miniature poodle).

* Emma (miniature dachshound) is Enzo's female twin. She was greeted with lots of kisses from her buddies Mika (chi), Lexy and Enzo. She seems really happy today.

* Really like this photo of Winston to the left...

* Oh, forgot to mention there are two Mika's here today. Mika (Maltese) really likes her little Maltese friend, Rupert, and the other Mika (the chihuahua).

Here's today's class photo:

Did your dog eat?

* Buttons ate all her lunch.

* Jasper & Casper ate all their lunch.

* Dawson ate all.

* Henna ate all.

* Ozzy ate about half.

* Rupert wasn't hungry for lunch.

* Mika wasn't hungry.

* Nikko ate all.

* Max ate a little.

* Sebastian wasn't hungry.

Sept. 23: Sunny day, happy dogs

It's a gorgeous, sunny day - awesome weather for dog walking! The sun is spilling through the big front windows here at the daycare, creating a nice light for taking photos. As you know, Wednesdays tend to be our busiest days. We've got a great pack in here today (26 in daycare as of 11 a.m.), and the Spaw is busy in the back. So that means more pix and less blabbing on below... more time for dog walking and playing with the pups! First of all, we'd like to say welcome back to Tuka (American Eskimo), Bobo (maltipoo) and Maggie (Cairns Terrier), who've all been away for a couple of weeks. A big congrats to Bobo's parents, who just got married in Alaska. Incredible photos... :-) I love the photo of Tuka above, on his back. And check out the pic of Maggie below, yawning. Take a look at those sparkling white gnashers! Also, hello again to Mister (miniature dachshound-cross, pictured right), who's back for his second day at daycare - and having a blast! What a friendly little dog. * Pictured above left: Molly & Heidi playing on the ramps. Below: Lexy on the blankets, and Rico giving Heidi a sniff. * Love this photo to the above left of a very pensive-looking Casper! And to the above right: Paris & Bella (chi-cross). Here's a few more observations from this morning: * Rico has a new girlfriend - Paris! She looooves him. * Umber has been playing lots with Jones, and getting chased around by Paris. * Molly had lots of energy this morning and has been bombing around with Mika. * Sasha just arrived and has made a new friend: Paris. Sasha's also been playing with Umber, and was a very good girl getting her nails trimmed. * Pictured right: Close-up of Buttons. * Heidi, Spike, LG, Jasper, Casper, Jude and Molly are chasing each other around on the ramps right now. * Chili's a fairly new dog and has been gaining his confidence each time. He's made lots of new friends, and especially likes Sasha and Paris. * Pictured left: Henna taking a biiiiiig yawn! Tuka's in the background. * Pictured right: Sebastian giving Paris a kiss. Did your dog eat? * Jasper and Casper ate all their lunch. * Buttons ate all her lunch. * Rico ate all. * Molly ate all. * Sheraz ate her breakfast. * Henna ate all her lunch. * Bobo wasn't hungry for lunch. * Bella ate lunch. * Nikko ate all his lunch. * Paris ate her lunch. * Jude wasn't hungry. * Sebastian wasn't hungry. And here's today's class photo! Sept. 23, 2009:

Sept. 2: Introducing Max, Sprokette & Snuggles

Happy Wednesday, everyone! We have two new dogs here today: Max (Yorkie, pictured below) and Sprokette (Maltese puppy - pictured above). Also, there are a couple of fairly new faces: Niko (poodle) and Snuggles (shih tzu cross).

It's a busy day (as you can tell by Nigel's awesome group photo below!), so I'm going to load up the blog with pix instead of words to save time. Pix are more fun than me babbling on, right?

It's been playtime all morning, and we still have more afternoon walks and potty breaks to come!

The morning walks are done, lunches are being fed, and the fur's-a-flyin' in the back room (in the Spaw).

Pictured left: Katie (sheltie) strikes a magnificent pose.

Pictured left: Umber (chi) and Jones (Bischon) in play mode. Attack!

* Spike & LG: Little angels?

* Pictured above, from left to right: Molly, Jones, Umber & Dawson.

... And here's a photo of Snuggles, who's here for her second day.

Did your dog eat?

* Dawson ate all her lunch.

* Muggles, Zipper and Sprokette all ate lunch.

* Jasper and Casper ate all. Glad to see Jasper's feeling better today. His flea treatment made the poor guy feel sick yesterday. :-(

* Ozzy ate quite a bit today!

* Molly was really hungry for her breakfast.

* Gus wasn't hungry for his lunch.

* Max wasn't hungry.

* Sebastian wasn't hungry.

* Dempster ate all.

* Cookie and Donut ate all their lunches.

* Buttons ate all.

Aug. 17: Introducing Dempster

Say hello to the new doggie - Dempster! He's an adorable American cocker spaniel puppy and has just been having a blast with all of his new friends this morning. Very playful.

He's really hard to take a photo of because he runs around so quickly (as of 12:30 he's still going!).

He especially likes Tofu (Boston-Bulldog), Bechler (Boston) and Danger (maltipoo).

* Tofu (pictured left) hasn't been here for a while, so he's catching up on lost time, zooming around with his buddies. He's grown since we saw him last!

* We also haven't seen Tui and Alley for a while - welcome back! They're a little tag-team, following each other around everywhere and playing with the toys. They've also been playing a little with Umber (chi).

* Oh, and it's good to see Marcello back again, too. He's been catching up with all of his buddies.

* Bechler, Heidi (shnoodle), Molly (Min Pin-cross), Spike (Yorkie), LG (Yorkie-cross), Jasper & Casper (both Coton de Tulear) have been chasing each other around - surprise, surprise.

* Pictured left: Bechler & Tofu.

* Just check out this photo to the left of Dawson (chi). She's been playing lots with our chihuahua Mika, plus Molly and Umber.

* Little Frank (Yorkie) is getting much more confident here, but he just has a timid personality. He's a lot like Max (Yorkie - pictured below left with the ball). Same size, a little shy, but once they find a little buddy, they love to play. Both these pups are here right now so I'm hoping they'll become good friends.

* Theodore (Yorkie) is also here, but in comparison he's very fiesty - he doesn't realize his size! We just saw him take on Bechler the Boston Terrier because he got in his way (not fighting, but barking at him to buzz off).

* Now for the more laidback dogs, who've been hanging with the pack and keeping involved, but not actively playing. This includes Sheraz (miniature schnauzer), who's always such a good girl. She gets along great with all the dogs and humans and loves her walks.

* And then there's Buttons (cockapoo), who's adored by many of the dogs here - and humans! - and she looooves her food. * We can't forget Mika (maltese), who's getting braver by going up to other dogs and sniffing and following them around. Her best friends here today are Tui and Alley and Danger.

* Check out this photo of the little white dogs cuddling up on the chair! There's Tui, Danger, Jasper, Casper and Mika.

Here's a couple more photos:

Did your dog eat?

* Sheraz ate all her breakfast.

* Buttons ate all her lunch.

* Tofu ate his kibble, and also managed to break into Dawson's room and steal some of her meat. Yum, yum...

* As for Dawson, we gave her her kibble mixed with the rest of the meat. She was hungry and ate quite a bit of the kibble!

* Molly ate all her lunch.

* Dempster ate all of his lunch.

* Mika (maltese) wasn't hungry.

* Jasper and Casper ate all their lunch.

* Max ate a little bit for lunch.

* Danger ate a little.

* Heidi ate all her lunch.