Learn how and why I give back to senior dogs through my botanical art business.
When I started this brand, it was important to me to have a giving back component.
5% of all sales is donated to Speaking of Dogs Rescue.
Speaking of Dogs Rescue Program is a Canadian registered charity that was founded in 2001. They are an Ontario based dog rescue run solely by volunteers. They are dedicated to assisting dogs from shelters as well as taking in dogs surrendered by their owner. They have a particular focus on helping senior and palliative care dogs in shelters.
Why Senior Dogs?
I have always been a believer in the adopting/rescuing dogs and cats route. No shade if you choose to buy, hopefully from an ethical and responsible breeder and not from a puppy mill/backyard breeder/kijiji! It just ain't for me. Mainly because puppies and adolescent dogs aren't my thing. I like to know exactly what I'm getting in terms of energy level, temperament, behavioural challenges and personality and things can really change within those first 4 years. So for me I choose to adopt pets aged 5 and up and so far it's been awesome!
I chose to give back to a senior dog rescue because they are most often the dogs who are overlooked and passed by. Seeing how the lifespan of pets is drastically shorter than ours, most people want a young pet, which I totally get. But from my experience adopting an older dog doesn't lessen the experience just because the time you have with them might not be as long.
These dogs still have a lot of life left in them and their needs are sometimes much lower than the young ones. They really just want a soft spot to land and to give and receive love.
And so, 5% of every sale that comes through my shop is helping these old guys and gals by giving back to Speaking of Dogs Rescue.
Meet My Pets
Pip Squeak
Pip was adopted at the age of 11 and lived to be 15. He came from a meat farm in South Korea and suffered from PTSD. Despite his horrible past, he was the most gentle and kind hearted dog. He loved to go for hikes and sniffing was his most favourite activity. Despite his huge ears, they were merely decorations as he was deaf-mute and quiet as a mouse. Pip loved to be with his people and included in all activities.
Gene
Gene was adopted at the age of 12 and lived to be 13.5. He was a family pet until one day they left him at a shelter. He came to me very sick but once he was nursed back to health he was an absolute firecracker and a yorkie through and through. The car was his favourite place to be! He loved to be included in everything and was often found being carried around in a bag. He was named after Gene Simmons.
Gerda
Gerda was adopted at the age of 8 during covid and she is currently 13. She came from a shelter in Mexico and I'm certain was a well loved family pet in her previous life. Gerda is the best dog ever. She is so calm, quiet, brave and silly. She is named after the protagonist in the fairytale, The Snow Queen. She loves tomatoes and steals all of the ripe ones off my plants. She is the best hiking partner and has been my greatest teacher. All future dogs of mine are better off because of Gerda.
Peter Panda
Panda was adopted at the age of 5 and he is now 15.5. He is my soulmate. He is so much more than a cat or a pet. Panda is pure love and all he wants is to be loved and to love in return. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He loves children and will seek them out. He proves all cat stereotypes wrong. He lives to drink water and often has 5 different vessels on rotation but his favourite is rain puddles on the deck. Panda is secretly a porch dog trapped in feline form. If you don't like cats it's just because you haven't met mine yet.