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Trish's Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Service, Ottawa, ON (2026)

12/31/2024

What a year!

Most of my clients know that I have been living with terminal colon cancer for over 12 years. For the most part, life’s been pretty darn good. But 2024 saw the disease return with a vengeance. Actually, it started in 2023 with what I thought were symptoms of colitis.

By February the pain was so intense that I knew something more sinister was afoot. Turns out I have a tumour on my spine and it was making its way into the muscles of my abdomen (the psoas). And it had broken my L1 vertebra which now resembles Swiss cheese more than solid bone. The pain from a fractured spine and a tumour pressing on nerves is no joke.

Chemo started and immediately my pain and other symptoms began to diminish. But then I had two significant allergic reactions to the drugs. I had to stop treatment.

Immunocine Cancer Center, an organization I’ve been in contact with for over two years contacted me to say I was now eligible for treatment. The timing could not have been more perfect.

However, there were two bumps in the road. A failed biopsy attempt and then a hint of a problem in my blood tests. In the meantime back home, radiation failed to work and my tumour-markers and the tumour were once again growing.

Yesterday, I started a new chemo regime which will hopefully tie me over until I can get back to Immunocine.

All this to say, 2024 was not our best year in business. I had to reduce the work load so that I could heal and managed only small pets on the days I didn’t feel great. My associate, Mary, picked up the lion’s share of the work. For this I am eternally grateful.

I also didn’t post very much on IG, which makes me sad because this is one of my fav parts of the job.

So here’s hoping 2025 brings healing and renewed energy.

We are still booking sits for 2025. We’re just working around my chemo schedule and Mary’s availability. So, pls book early.

If you want to follow my crazy cancer adventures more closely, just click on the Go Fund Me link in my profile.

08/02/2024

Horsie Friends… please share.

For your consideration:

11-year old OTTB, 15+hh, dark bay, mare.

This is Beatrice. I purchased her last year as a restart project and she is coming along very nicely. Her barn manners are great and she now stands very patiently for grooming, vet care, the farrier, and mounting. She doesn’t love the dentist, but with light sedation tolerates it. She is easy to catch once she knows you (responds to “come to me, Bea”) and until then will come when bribed with treats. She doesn’t love trailering and will offer slight resistance. A wee “tap tap” on her bum and she goes in just fine. She is UTD on all vaccinations, Cogins test (neg), dewormer, hooves, and teeth. She is shoeless with great feet. Easy keeper. No barn vices. Middle of the herd/pecking order. Goes w/t/c (and obvi a blinding speed gallop, but I’m too chicken to know it first hand). Nice mover.

She has never offered buck nor bolt, but is nervous outside the arena. However, she is rock solid on the road where cars and trucks do not phase her one bit. That plastic bag on the ground, however… 🤷🏻‍♀️

She has excelled with ground work and is way less flighty than 1 yr ago. But, like most OTTBs this will be an ongoing effort.

She was treated in January for slight spinal compression at T27/28 with anti-inflammatory injections, PEMF, & massage therapy. I was just beginning physio therapy when I myself became ill.

She would benefit from a visit with a competent saddle fitter. Vet says she is sound. PPE is welcome at buyer’s request/expense.

Sadly, as a result of my illness I need to rehome her. The price reflects the urgency to find her a good home, but I will be picky. I do not want this sweet girl to end up on the auction treadmill. She is gentle and loving to her person once trust is established. She needs a forever home.

24🥕🥕

Please DM for questions and video.

04/15/2024

Horatio has found his people! And I am so thrilled his pet-parents are TSP customers. Never before have I seen so much interest in one particular adoptee, but this little guy capture hearts and minds all over Ottawa. The applications were many, the process thorough, and I am thrilled that Enya’s Mum and Pop came out as the best match ( no surprise to me at all, really ).

Can’t wait to meet you little buddy. ❤️

03/15/2024

Doggos on the bed.

This morning I awoke to find two of my charges up on the bed. To me, there is no better way to wake up then to the sound of a thumping tail, or a wet nose on your neck. But to some, dogs on the bed is forboden. And there are good reasons:

1. Sleep quality can be impaired;
2. Risk of aggression if doggo resource-guards the bed;
3. Risk of parasites making their way to you; and
4. It could exacerbate allergies.

But, there is also oodles of evidence to show that sleeping with your pooch can be good for your mental health. There are some studies that show pets on beds can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Once you weigh the pros and cons and make your decision, it’s best to stay the course. On again off again sleeping arrangements can be stressful.

Personally, I think training is key. Teach your dog to wait for permission to get on the bed. This lets them know it’s not a given and not necessarily their territory. Teach them which spot is theirs. I prefer my pooch to be at the foot of the bed, although years ago I had a Britany Spaniel who insisted that meant under the duvet. Weirdo.

I also made sure my dogs had a good run before bedtime and that I laundered my sheets every three days or so. And if either of us was sick, dogs slept in their own beds.

Snuggle up!

02/19/2024

Ottis is in da house!

So glad to have one of my favourite boys as my first guest in my new home. It took him no time at all to settle in. Although, he did go downstairs to look for my room mate. He seemed disappointed that the Chief Treat Officer wasn’t there.

02/19/2024

Our two favourite boys are being well taken care of by Mary (TSP’s #2). Mary is a super-walker (10,000 steps every day) and the boys are benefiting from her very fit habits.

I always say: a tired dog is a good dog. And these guys are some pooped.

Thanks Mary!

01/21/2024

My wholly mammoth.

-15 + wind chill here in O-town. How cold is too cold for you? For your pets? My dog Portia would just simply refuse to step out in anything colder than -10.

Most breeds of dogs, and horses, have adapted well for our Canadian freeze/thaw cycles. But not all breeds are suited for this kind of winter weather.

What are your tricks for keeping your fur friends warm in the cold? And how cold is just too cold for them?

01/19/2024

What on Earth is a Potcake?!

As dog people you’ve most likely heard the term Potcake in reference to dogs living in the Caribbean. And in all likelihood you also don’t really know what this means. That’s OK, the vast majority of us are unaware.

Potcakes are not a specific breed per se, but rather a mongrel that can be a genetic soup made up of a select group of breeds. Potcakes would have hailed from the ancestors of breeds brought over from Europe during colonization, from America during its revolutionary period, and from other Caribbean islands. Several DNA tests have demonstrated a failure to identify any trace of old breeds, making the Potcake sort of its own dog.

They come in all shapes, colours and sizes as demonstrated by the trio here, but what is unique to the breed is their scrapper, street-dog smarts. They are generally healthy, hardy, resilient, and very loyal. You won’t easily find a food allergy among this lot. But, as strays, some of these guys do come with plenty of trauma. Working with a good trainer or behaviourist can help guide over the bumps during training.

So why”Potcake”? The story goes that ppl of the islands, specifically the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, would feed stray dogs the remains of a traditional meal of peas and rice—specifically the caked-on scrapings from the bottom of the pot.

Today it is estimated that there are well over 11,000 Potcakes running free in the Caribbean. There are myriad reasons for this, but volunteer lead and run organizations are doing their best to educate locals and to find homes—often abroad.

Here in Ontario we have the Eastern Ontario Potcake Rescue and in Ottawa the folks at Sit With Me help coordinate locally to place rescues in forever homes.

The breed-snob in me has had two weeks to reconsider my position. I’d take any one of these girls home! Isla (the blond lover), Dani (the tiny brown mighty mouse), and Sybil (the big fraidy cat).

Care to take a stab of the breeds in these girls? It’ll be fun. What breeds do you see?

12/30/2023

The many faces of Buri.

Buri is a senior citizen. Like most seniors, his life revolves around breakfast, walkies (to the end of the driveway these days), naps by the fire, dinner, bum scratches, and hanging with his people.

Trying to squeeze in as much quality time as I can with this guy, because life is just way too short.

Trish's Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Service

12/31/2024

08/02/2024

04/15/2024

03/15/2024

02/19/2024

02/19/2024

01/21/2024

01/19/2024

12/30/2023

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