Quincy (09/09/05 - 17/09/20) was my S.P.C.A. girl, she was with me since she was a small pup 15 years ago. Her origins are unknown but needless to say she was a N.S. Duck Toller. Pure? Who knows? And I can't say I really care. It's cool that she had East Coast history, as I hail from Cape Breton myself, she was what she was and I loved her dearly.
Quincy was pro demo dog in the classroom, and a retired Agility Dog in the Advanced level. We enjoyed the outdoors a lot, any season, with the beach and anyplace with snow being favourites.
Quincy, although not trained for it, was also my emotional rock. I would feel so grounded by just running my hand through her coat, resting my forehead on hers, feeling her sit on my toes or feeling her sit behind me back to back on a trail, beach or mountain top. She always had my six.
Quincy had a very large extended family. From her boys next door to the boys across the way, all her dog friends and their families, neighbours whom she literally waltzed into their homes to say "hey", friends and neighbours who would check on her for me during long work shifts, her agility friends, Tynehead friends and of course all of her Dogsafe students. You were all part of her pack and I thank you for your part in my having her as long as I did.
Quincy will always be my poster girl.
She left really big paw prints to fill.
Skye was the newest member of our family, coming to us via the Surrey Animal Resource Centre in February 2016. Skye was in a class of her own, brilliant, loyal to a fault, full of life and not letting anything slow her down. Being a Catahoula Leopard Hound on it's own indicates that she gave me good reason to have training in canine first aid but the added bonus of her being deaf from birth, well she kept me fuelled with stories to share with you. Skye and I did training in nose works and let me tell you, her nose worked non stop. She rocked at tracking also. Unfortunately, Skye was an example of how socialization at a young age is crucial for dogs. She also showed how instinct is core, and something we need to learn how to coral the best we can. She also taught me that sometimes we have to make hard decisions for the safety of our dogs no matter how much we hurt from it.
Skye went into foster care after many months of trying different alternatives to keep Quincy physically and emotionally safe. Skye, reportedly, is doing far better as an only dog in the home. I was convinced, by the society, that she has become adjusted to a life style far different from mine and that I could not compete. I can only pray that this is accurate and that she is loved as much as I love her. She has the ability, to love pretty much anyone whether they want it or not lol.
Myself, my full time career is as a paramedic with the B.C.Ambulance Service. I've been a paramedic 25 years now and I love it. The many super people that I meet every day and the unlimited challenges make it a very rewarding career. In past years I was involved with B.C's Provincial Emergency Program in the capacity of an active member and instructor with both Search and Rescue and the Emergency Social Services program. Reaching further back in time I was involved with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets for many years, following my own cadet years with 10 years as an officer in the Cadet Instructor's Cadre.
As I mentioned, I'm a Cape Breton girl. I grew up in a small community in a big family where we always had a dog. When not in school our dog was always running around with us, Skipper and Sam having most impact. It doesn't feel right not having a dog in the family.
I moved to B.C. in 1994 with a Degree in Psychology.I worked in Family and Youth counselling as well as a paramedic in a few small towns further North (Burns Lake, Clearwater & William's Lake) before moving to the lower mainland in 2003. My first dog Grizzly came to me from Turtle Gardens up on Lake Babine, I considered him my "heart dog". Then came Quincy, totally different, she was also my "heart dog". She was my baby girl.
Summing it all up, I enjoy people, love dogs, enjoy teaching, love working in emergency services, and I take the safety and well being of dogs and people alike very seriously. Starting K9ABCs, teaching Dogsafe and presenting for Doggone Safe simply feels like natural evolution for me. I've been instructing Dogsafe for almost 9 years now and truly enjoy sharing with others of like mind.
I have been present at the Petlovers Show in Abbotsford BC each winter at my own booth but also on the seminar stage. I truly enjoy meeting other dog owners here and sharing ideas.
I've moved from Surrey out to Chilliwack to be closer to the adventures I enjoy so hopefully I'll see you out there on the trails or on the water.
I hope you check out DOGSAFE, Michelle Sevigny the creator and head instructor, has done a great job with this program. Keeping standards high and up to date has been in the forefront for her and it shows.
Once again, welcome to K9ABCs. I hope you find some useful ideas to keep your canine friends safe and happy.
Laurie McPhee, BACS
K9ABCs
Primary Care Paramedic (BCAS)
Authorized Instructor of Dogsafe
Doggone Safe Member and Presenter
APDT, AAC
Quincy was pro demo dog in the classroom, and a retired Agility Dog in the Advanced level. We enjoyed the outdoors a lot, any season, with the beach and anyplace with snow being favourites.
Quincy, although not trained for it, was also my emotional rock. I would feel so grounded by just running my hand through her coat, resting my forehead on hers, feeling her sit on my toes or feeling her sit behind me back to back on a trail, beach or mountain top. She always had my six.
Quincy had a very large extended family. From her boys next door to the boys across the way, all her dog friends and their families, neighbours whom she literally waltzed into their homes to say "hey", friends and neighbours who would check on her for me during long work shifts, her agility friends, Tynehead friends and of course all of her Dogsafe students. You were all part of her pack and I thank you for your part in my having her as long as I did.
Quincy will always be my poster girl.
She left really big paw prints to fill.
Skye was the newest member of our family, coming to us via the Surrey Animal Resource Centre in February 2016. Skye was in a class of her own, brilliant, loyal to a fault, full of life and not letting anything slow her down. Being a Catahoula Leopard Hound on it's own indicates that she gave me good reason to have training in canine first aid but the added bonus of her being deaf from birth, well she kept me fuelled with stories to share with you. Skye and I did training in nose works and let me tell you, her nose worked non stop. She rocked at tracking also. Unfortunately, Skye was an example of how socialization at a young age is crucial for dogs. She also showed how instinct is core, and something we need to learn how to coral the best we can. She also taught me that sometimes we have to make hard decisions for the safety of our dogs no matter how much we hurt from it.
Skye went into foster care after many months of trying different alternatives to keep Quincy physically and emotionally safe. Skye, reportedly, is doing far better as an only dog in the home. I was convinced, by the society, that she has become adjusted to a life style far different from mine and that I could not compete. I can only pray that this is accurate and that she is loved as much as I love her. She has the ability, to love pretty much anyone whether they want it or not lol.
Myself, my full time career is as a paramedic with the B.C.Ambulance Service. I've been a paramedic 25 years now and I love it. The many super people that I meet every day and the unlimited challenges make it a very rewarding career. In past years I was involved with B.C's Provincial Emergency Program in the capacity of an active member and instructor with both Search and Rescue and the Emergency Social Services program. Reaching further back in time I was involved with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets for many years, following my own cadet years with 10 years as an officer in the Cadet Instructor's Cadre.
As I mentioned, I'm a Cape Breton girl. I grew up in a small community in a big family where we always had a dog. When not in school our dog was always running around with us, Skipper and Sam having most impact. It doesn't feel right not having a dog in the family.
I moved to B.C. in 1994 with a Degree in Psychology.I worked in Family and Youth counselling as well as a paramedic in a few small towns further North (Burns Lake, Clearwater & William's Lake) before moving to the lower mainland in 2003. My first dog Grizzly came to me from Turtle Gardens up on Lake Babine, I considered him my "heart dog". Then came Quincy, totally different, she was also my "heart dog". She was my baby girl.
Summing it all up, I enjoy people, love dogs, enjoy teaching, love working in emergency services, and I take the safety and well being of dogs and people alike very seriously. Starting K9ABCs, teaching Dogsafe and presenting for Doggone Safe simply feels like natural evolution for me. I've been instructing Dogsafe for almost 9 years now and truly enjoy sharing with others of like mind.
I have been present at the Petlovers Show in Abbotsford BC each winter at my own booth but also on the seminar stage. I truly enjoy meeting other dog owners here and sharing ideas.
I've moved from Surrey out to Chilliwack to be closer to the adventures I enjoy so hopefully I'll see you out there on the trails or on the water.
I hope you check out DOGSAFE, Michelle Sevigny the creator and head instructor, has done a great job with this program. Keeping standards high and up to date has been in the forefront for her and it shows.
Once again, welcome to K9ABCs. I hope you find some useful ideas to keep your canine friends safe and happy.
Laurie McPhee, BACS
K9ABCs
Primary Care Paramedic (BCAS)
Authorized Instructor of Dogsafe
Doggone Safe Member and Presenter
APDT, AAC
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