Companion Synergy

01/29/2026

01/28/2026

Miss Virginia loving the snow having fun at playgroup!!

12/01/2025

It's getting a little cooler out there! When you exercise a dog's mind and senses, they also get a little more sleep throughout the day. This helps a great deal if you are working from home. Dogs love jobs! My office buddy also gets a little chewy after a good 20 minutes of playing fetch in our hallway before she settles into our work day.~ Rachel

10/14/2025

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The challenges of the teenage dog.

There’s a saying that most parents of teenagers can relate to - "Parents of teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!"

The changes that happen in the brain of a teenage dog are not that different to a human teenager.

The brain undergoes a period of "pruning" and "re-wiring". This process can cause some parts not to work, work sporadically or work too much.

To describe it in the simplest of terms -the prefrontal cortex of a teenage brain is at the “back of the queue” in this process. It’s still “under construction” and still developing. This area of the brain is responsible for making “logical” decisions, controlling impulses, learning, remembering, problem solving and social interaction.

Because the prefrontal cortex is being reconstructed, the brain relies more on a part called the amygdala to make choices and react.
The amygdala is involved in the “big feelings” we may see - emotional responses like fight or flight, anxiety, excitement, reactivity, impulse control and instinctive behaviour.

Being aware of the physical changes the teenage brain is going through in the process of maturing, helps us to be more understanding and accepting.

Statistics show that many dogs are surrendered or re homed during the teenage stage as their owners no longer “like” the way their dog behaves, can’t handle them or just give up on them.

Please don’t give up on your teenage dog. We need to manage our expectations and frustrations during this phase.

Understand and acknowledge what is happening in their brain. Help them through this stage with patience, consistency, love and acceptance.

10/07/2025

Think about it, folks...

09/10/2025

We love being a small business serving the North Shore. I would like to lift up another new small business,Sweet Java.
They have wonderful iced coffee, I personally recommend the Caramel Macchiato with a Ham Swiss and egg croissant! It made my day!

09/02/2025

Important to note if you have these products in your home...

Veterinary toxicologists from Pet Poison Helpline have identified a serious new hazard found in popular migraine/headache cooling head masks and similar products!

Pets are at risk if they ingest the contents of these products which can lead to serious neurologic signs and in some cases, death.

If you have similar products in your home, be sure they are always stored safely out of your pet’s reach. Promptly discard any damaged or leaking items. Should an exposure occur, contact Pet Poison Helpline right away. We are here 24/7 to provide guidance and support.

Our team of veterinary toxicologists will be presenting new research at the upcoming North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) meeting in Chicago: Unmasking the Truth about Acrylamide: Chilling Findings from Pet Poison Helpline.

08/14/2025

We had our Sookie girl over right before we went on vacation so I didn’t have the chance to post this yet. We had a couple great days spending time with her before we left.

08/13/2025

After a hot day of playing outside these girls love cuddling together in the cool air