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The PawSwap community is one of the best places to find new friends for your best friends. We've created a community of dog owners who love their pups just as much as you do – but ultimately, it’s up to your dog to decide which members he or she likes to connect with the most. Enter, PawSwap meet-ups! So what is a Meet-up? Simply put: A Meetup is the pawfect opportunity for a group of PawSwap members (new and existing) to get together! PawSwap meet-ups happen monthly, and are usually 1-hour long. While you may have found the perfect owner to watch your pup through the app already, expanding your dog’s friend circle will also expand your pet-sitting options! The more people your dog is familiar with, the easier it will be to send out those Swap Requests – after all, every pet sitter (and Friend) should be dog approved! Where do these Meet-ups happen? PawSwap hosts meet-ups all around the Vancouver area (Toronto, coming soon!) Typically, Meetups take place at off leash dog parks; we’ve found that this is the very best way for dogs to really get to know each other. What are the benefits of Meet-ups? Our members have had such positive feedback about our meet-ups. A few benefits are... Meet-ups allow you to take that final (and recommended) step of meeting an owner you’ve connected with on the app, face to face. A PawSwap representative will always be present at a meet-up; attending is a great opportunity to have any questions you may have about the app answered! Nobody likes an empty dog park. Our meetups can guarantee your dog will get some quality play time in! Our meetups on average have about 50 dogs come through. See that neighbour in your hallway all the time and don't know how to make an introduction? The meet-ups make meeting new friends way less awkward. Meet-ups allow your dog to be a part of the decision process. Our members constantly brag about how their dog found their Friends all by themselves! Who attends Meet-ups? PawSwap meet-ups are open for anyone to attend; we also have special guests at some of our meet-ups, such as pet product vendors, trainers, or press. All of the photos that you see in this post have been taken at a PawSwap meet-ups by Vancouver Pet Photography. What is special about PawSwap Meet-ups? PawSwap meet-ups are special because they really do bring together dog owners with the same struggle... finding affordable, and trustworthy pet care for their dog! Our goal is to say goodbye to awkward encounters, and make it easy for owners to both reach out to one another, and stay connected. Our next meet-up on International Puppy Day will feature 2 special guests who are fully equipped to answer all of your puppy potty training, walking, socialization and food questions! See you there! Check out when our next meet-up by Downloading the PawSwap App here. ⭐Use promo code PUPPYMEETUP for 5 FREE points (1 point = 1 hr of pet sitting)⭐

Meet one of our PawSwap members in Yaletown, Brittany and her pup Maisie! Maisie is a rescue from Houston, Texas. She is very shy when you first meet her, but once she is comfortable with you, she is the sweetest and friendliest dog! Maisie is always happy to make new dog friends and loves running around with them! When she's not doing that, you can usually find Maisie taking a nap in her moms...or as Maisie likes to think "her" bed. Brittany and Maisie can... ✗ Take care of dogs while people are at work ✓ Take care of dogs on weekends ✓ Take care of dogs in the evenings or overnight ✓ Take care of dogs over holidays or when someone is on vacation Would your pup love to play with Maisie while you're away for the weekend or on vacay? Learn more about a typical day in the life of Maisie... How do you and Maisie usually start your mornings? The first thing we do when we wake up, after cuddles of course, is go outside for our morning walk. If it is raining it can be hard to get Maisie out of bed! A treat usually helps to get her get up and motivated for the day! What does an average day look like for you two? My days revolve around Maisie (and that's the way we both like it)! She is never alone for more than about 4 hours, and I make sure my schedule can accommodate that. After our morning walk, I usually head off to work or to class and she stays home and catches up on her beauty rest. We do another afternoon walk which usually involves a dog park and lunch on the go! Sometimes she will come back to the office with me for the rest of the afternoon, but other times she seems content to stay at home. She can be a little bit of a lazy diva at times. Once I am home for the evening we head off to the dog park (again) - sometimes a different one than we visited in the afternoon. She always loves to visit the Kits dog beach as an alternative, and it is a nice long walk on non-rain days! Finally, we come home and have dinner. She usually eats her own and at least half of mine. After our bellies are full we watch something on TV and cuddle up. Then we do one more quick pee-pee walk before bed! Are there any activities you do where your pup can't join? The only places you won't find Maisie by my side is when I head off to yoga or go out for a meal with friends. However, my friends are used to me suggesting takeout so that Maisie doesn't feel left out. If I have a busy weekend ahead, it is nice to have that extra help when working and getting ready for exams! That is when PawSwap comes in handy! (PawSwappers, this is a chance to earn Treats aka our points program and swap with Maisie!) What do you and Maisie get up to on weekends? Our weekend activities are usually weather dependent. You can usually find us out for a seawall walk, driving out to the country or to a fun hiking spot, playing at dog beach or a dog park, or enjoying some kind of takeout on the couch! We are also big nap enthusiasts. Our favourite weekends are the ones when we can get away to our Lake House. There is nothing up there but acres for Maisie to run around on and enjoy...there are also a few "scary" cows up there if you were to ask her! What is a cute memory that you share with Maisie? Maisie is a rescue, when I brought her home she would not come out of her crate, and so I let her stay where she was comfortable and left the crate door open. I still wasn't able to get close to her, so I just curled up on the other side of the coffee table across from her. That is where we slept that first night. Between falling in and out of sleep that night, she would walk over to me when she thought I was sleeping and would give me a good sniff. At first she would sniff just my hand, or just my toes, and then run back to her side of the coffee table. Finally, once she knew it was safe (or thought I was in a comma) she gave me a good sniffing from head to toe. Eventually throughout the night, she started inching closer to me as she became more comfortable. By the morning she was right beside me snuggled up, and we have been each others best friends ever since. (PawSwappers, how cute is this!!! Two paws up for Brittany being an amazing rescue dog mom 🙌) What do you and Maisie love about PawSwap? Pawswap is a great way for Maisie to become aquatinted with other dogs and people. She can be very shy and it usually takes time for her to be comfortable around new people and dogs, so the meetups are perfect for introductions. Does Brittany and Maisie sound like the perfect owner/dog duo to swap with? Add her as a friend on the PawSwap App!

Rainy days suck! Especially if you have a pup. Good thing the Pet Lover Show is happening next week! Bring your friends, and dogs, and join us for a fun filled day of activities, food, vendors, products, and LOTS AND LOTS of fur-babies! Vancouver Pet Lover Show celebrates animal lovers from the Vancouver area and the Lower Mainland. This year, your family dog can try the Paws on Activity Area where you can have your training questions not only answered, but demonstrated with your pet right at the show! They have a variety of brand new exhibitors with thousands of products on display as well as show specials allowing attendees to sample products and purchase at a discounted price. Want to know more? With this being PawSwap's second year attending the Pet Lover Show we can help you with all the in's and out's of attending a pet show, and answer your most frequently asked questions... Where and when is the show? The Pet Lover Show takes place at TRADEX in Abbotsford, BC on Saturday, February 23rd (10am - 6pm) and Sunday, February 24th (10am - 5pm). What is the best part about attending the Pet Lover Show? Seeing all of the different products and options for your dog. Every company in attendance has your pets well-being in mind and they really want to offer you products and services that helps you be the best pet parent you can be! As a company at the event, we get to meet so many owners and dogs and show them face to face the benefits of PawSwap. It's a great way for us to be able to meet our members and answer any questions they may have. How much does it cost to attend the show? To attend the show it costs $14 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+) or youth (6-15), and children under 5 are free! They also offer family passes (2 youth and 2 adults) for $34. What should members know about bringing their pet to the show? Anyone who would like to attend the show with their pet must fill out a pet waiver. If you can download it, fill it in, and bring it with you, you will be able to enter the show more quickly. There are some standard rules within the waiver to follow. One not to forget though is dogs must be on a fixed leash, no longer than 6 feet, at all times – the show does not allow any flexi - leashes even if they are locked. How many exhibitors they expecting? There will be 200+ exhibitors at the Pet Show. Giving you lots of options for all types of pets (not just dogs!). Everything from pet training, toys, apparel, food, and more! It's definitely tempting to spoil your pup! Are there events to check out? Tons! Be sure to check out the meet and greet with Vancouver's most famous bulldog, Bentley (yes, the one that rides in helicopters). Another one that I'm super excited for is the SuperDogs star search... that's right, your dog could audition to be in SuperDogs at the PNE! There is also a dog communication and handling seminar where you can discover the mysteries of dog communication, and learn how to handle your dog using appropriate equipment and communication. This is just a few of the many events happening over the weekend! Check out the full list of events here: http://www.petlovershow.ca/pet-show-features-events.php How long would you suggest spending? With over 200 exhibitors and shows/seminars throughout the weekend, you could easily attend both days. However, we would recommend putting aside at least 3-4 hours when attending the show. What are some of the prizes that you can enter to win? Prizes and giveaway are starting now so make sure to keep checking in at http://www.petlovershow.ca/pet-show-prizes.php to see all the updates! A few to keep in mind are... 1. The Ultimate Mountain Adventure with Sky Helicopters and Bentley the Bulldog. Win a helicopter flight and $1000 worth of Mountain Dog Food! Watch Global News Mornings beginning February 11 - 17 to find out how you could win a breathtaking helicopter flight and landing in the backcountry with Mr. Bentley the Bulldog courtesy of SKY Helicopters, Vancouver's #1 Heli-adventure company and Mountain Dog Food. 2. JRFM - Win a Family Getaway. Win the Grand Prize or even a 4-pack of tickets to the Pet Lover show! The Grand Prize winner will win a 3-day Getaway at the pet friendly Downtown Vancouver Hampton Inn. You and a friend and your four legged pal can enjoy everything downtown has to offer in luxurious accommodations. 3. Praise FM - On-Air Giveaways. Check out the Larry Lomax Midday show on Praise FM for your chance to win one of five $50 gift certificate from Just About Pets Wellness Centre in Abbotsford - your Abbotsford Centre for health and wellness for your beloved pets! Plus a 4 pack of Pet Lover Show tickets! How often does this show happen? Pet Lover show is yearly event. With prizes, booths, seminars, and shows you're guaranteed to have a fun filled weekend with you and your pet! Make sure to stop by the PawSwap booth (Booth 192) and come say hello! To purchase tickets for the Pet Lover Show visit: https://petlovershow.tix123.com/?_ga=2.192003689.217705176.1548957846-888348812.1548957846

Meet one of our PawSwap members in Surrey, Emily and her pup Harlow! Harlow is a very snugly Chihuahua who has a love of bird watching, eating treats, and licking noses. Her favourite past time is to shake, so she often rocks a sweater. Harlow loves making new friends especially with other Chihuahuas and dogs that are smaller than she is. Emily and Harlow can... ✗ Take care of dogs while people are at work ✓ Take care of dogs on weekends ✓ Take care of dogs in the evenings or overnight ✓ Take care of dogs over holidays or when someone is on vacation Would your pup love to play with Harlow while you're away for the weekend or on vacay? Learn more about a typical day in the life of Harlow... How do you and Harlow usually start your mornings? Harlow sleeps in the pillows of my bed, and when I wake up at 6am she crawls under the covers into the warm spot and rests her head on my pillow as I shower, get dressed and ready, and make coffee. Usually around 7am she will decide that she is ready to get up so I will take her for a short walk before I leave for work. What does an average day look like for you two? Harlow will either spend the day on the couch gazing out the living room window at the park across the street, or she will come to work with me. She loves coming to work and running around the office, exploring all of the cubicles and offices, and making friends certain colleagues. There are two service dogs, labs, occasionally in the office as well, and she wants absolutely nothing to do with them - unless they are playing with a ball, in which case she will try to steal it and hide under something small that they can't get to. Are there any activities you do where your pup can't join? I volunteer with BC Chihuahua Rescue as a foster, but also transporting dogs into Canada from across the US border. Harlow doesn't come with for the drives across as I never really know what personality of dog I am picking up until I get him. She also does not join in any adoptions. (PawSwappers, this is a chance to earn Treats and swap with this little Harlow!) What do you and Harlow get up too on weekends? If it is not raining we will typically be out the door around 9/930, grab a Starbucks, and head out for a long walk about 1-1.5 hours. Often on Sundays we will go over to my parents for family dinner where Harlow gets to play with her "cousin" dogs, or chase around my toddler niece, who loves to share her snacks, and watch Paw Patrol with Harlow. What do you and Harlow love about PawSwap? Networking. Harlow is hoping to make more Chihuahua friends, especially someone she might want to stay with if I need to go out of town. Does Emily and Harlow sound like the perfect owner/dog duo to swap with? Add her as a friend on the PawSwap App!

Spend Your Treats: Dashing Dogs Dental Take a look at your pup. Does he or she have build up on their teeth? Did you know that by age three, 86% of dogs & cats have some form of dental disease. Dental disease is the #1 illness affecting pets that can affect their heart, kidney and lungs. Sometimes the signs aren't as obvious, but its super important to try and recognize the following signs... bad breath bleeding or inflamed gums excessive drooling pawing at mouth loose teeth loss of appetite excessive chewing not playing with toys We know the struggle of trying to keep up on your dogs dental hygiene, that's why we are excited to introduce you to Seana at Dashing Dogs Dental! One of the many things we loved about Dashing Dogs is that it's Sedation-FREE! As a child, owner Seana lost her own dog to too much anaesthesia administered at a traditional pet clinic. Determined to not let this happen to another family, Seana became certified through North America’s only academically recognized and accredited specialized a non anaesthesia dental training program offered only in the United States. Now Dashing Dogs Dental offers its no sedation services at over a dozen locations across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island. So how does she keep your pup calm? Dashing Dogs relies on their ‘pet-whispering’ skills to establish a trusting relationship with each animal and at the same time use gentle relaxation techniques which allows the pup to feel safe and comfortable. Even the feisty ones with challenging personalities are usually very cooperative. Some may even fall asleep! We love the care and patience Seana gives to all the dogs that come in for this service. It really gives a comforting feeling to the owner knowing that your furry friend won't be in danger over something that should be easy! Each examine includes a visual examination of teeth, an overall mouth check, removal of tarter & plaque, a polish to get rid of stains, and a pet report card. The whole service takes approximately an hour. Want to give your dog those pearly whites they deserve? Open the PawSwap app and check out our Rewards tab for a special discount on Dashing Dogs Dental. Download app here: https://apple.co/2Q9sZUp

Meet one of our PawSwap members in Coal Harbour, Tracy and her pooch Martini! Martini is a 6 year-old fashion-forward mini schnauzer living and working in downtown Vancouver. Martini is a bit of a jetsetter! He has flown across the country from Montreal to Vancouver when his mom moved here 4 years ago. Martini isn't shy when it comes to getting his photo taken, or receiving a compliment over his trendy apparel. Tracy and Martini can... ✗ Take care of dogs while people are at work ✓ Take care of dogs on weekends ✓ Take care of dogs in the evenings or overnight ✓ Take care of dogs over holidays or when someone is on vacation Would your pup love to play with Martini while you're away for the weekend or on vacay? Learn more about a typical day in the life of Martini... How do you and Martini usually start your mornings? Martini goes to work with me every day. He’s not an early riser, so I have to pull him out of bed every morning at 8. It’s extra hard when it’s rainy and gloomy – he would pretend to be sick and hide under the cover to get out of going to work. What does an average day look like for you two? By the time we get to the office, Martini is back to his normal happy self. He makes a few laps around the office, dropping by and saying hi to everyone before going back to my desk for breakfast and a quick nap until noon when we head to the Seawall for a lunchtime walk. On the way home from work, we usually stop by the Nelson dog park or the pet store for a quick treat or run before heading home for the day. Can you bring Martini to work? He comes to work with me everyday. However, I travel a lot for work, which makes it tricky sometimes to find a good dog sitter. (PawSwappers, this is a chance to earn Treats and swap with this handsome pup!) What do you and Martini get up too on weekends? Martini and I like to sleep in until 9 and slowly start our morning with breakfast in bed (treats for him, coffee for me). After that, we meet up with Martini’s best friend Chester (a dapper Boston Terrier) and take a long walk around Stanley Park or play together at a neighbourhood dog park. In the summer, we hike up the Chief, stroll along the Seawall, or take weekend road trips to Seattle. On cold winter days, I bundle Martini up in his grandpa sweater and infinity scarf to go to Starbucks and get hot chocolate together. It’s never a dull day with Martini by my side! What do you and Martini love about PawSwap? I love meeting other dog owners in my neighbourhood, a lot of whom share the same lifestyles and interests as me! Does Tracy and Martini sound like the perfect owner/dog duo to swap with? Add her as a friend on the PawSwap App!

Spend Your Treats: Citrus Hair Salon If you're anything like us, you hate activities that your dogs can't be included in, especially if it's not a necessity... like getting your nails done or going to the salon! Well, don't worry - we got you! Pampering yourself is one thing you can cross off your guilt list, because we came across a PET-FRIENDLY Salon... Citrus Hair Salon! Now, some may say, well I already take my dog with me to get my hair done! But does your salon have the same commitment to the environment, and sustainability as Citrus? And you may not even have thought about the exposure to chemicals that your furry friend may endure, but the fact that Citrus minimizes the use of chemicals at their salon makes to PawSwap approved! At Citrus Hair Salon they do whatever they can to use the most natural, non toxic products, recycle everything they can, and reduce waste. Citrus carries the most natural, safest, non toxic hair care products available from sustainable, environmentally-conscious companies.They have ammonia free hair colour, including the most non-toxic permanent hair colour line found worldwide: Organic Colour Systems, which is ammonia free, PPD-reduced, vegetable based, recorcinol free and is 98.68% natural. They believe that beauty doesn’t have to hurt the environment or our health (including your pup). We are giving two paws up to this green approach in an industry that traditionally can be wasteful and toxic. A few other things Citrus Salon does it help the environment are... They are a Green Circle Salons member, which means they recycle  colour tubes, hair foils, light bulbs,  paper, plastic, tin, metals, electronics, batteries, and more! Green Circle also helps to safely dispose of chemical waste so that it doesn’t go down the drain. They save and donate all the hair, which is used for oil spill cleanups. They use energy-efficient lighting and energy-efficient, Energy-Star rated washer and dryer. They use biodegradable, non toxic, natural cleaning products to keep the salon environment clean and white. They reuse gloves and colour caps instead of throwing them away after each use. All of the stylist stations and coffee tables are built with reclaimed wood and much of the other furnishings–styling chairs, mirrors, front desk, filing cabinets, counters– have been bought second hand and refurbished. And the walls are painted with low VOC paint. So Treat yourself using your Treats from PawSwap! Open the PawSwap app and check out our Rewards tab for a special discount at Citrus Hair Salon. Download app here: https://apple.co/2Q9sZUp

Meet one of our PawSwap members in Yaletown, Andie and her pup Rosie Roo! Rosie is a Chihuahua/Pomeranian who just had her 1st birthday in November. She’s only 3lbs so this big world is intimidating to her, but she’s a very brave little girl! She loves every person/dog she meets, and everyone falls in love with her right back. She couldn’t be sweeter and has the funniest little quirks. Andie and Rosie can... ✓ Take care of dogs while people are at work ✓ Take care of dogs on weekends ✗ Take care of dogs in the evenings or overnight ✓ Take care of dogs over holidays or when someone is on vacation Would your pup love to play with Rosie while you're at work or on vacay? Learn more about a typical day in the life of Rosie... How do you and Rosie usually start your mornings? Rosie sleeps in bed with me, so when she’s ready for her breakfast she crawls out from under the covers and gives me kisses until I wake up. After I feed her she’s goes out to her little faux grass patch on our balcony and then we snuggle while I have my coffee. What does an average day look like for you two? After we’ve had our morning snuggle we get ready and head out for a little walk. Some days she loves to walk, other days she refuses to move so it sometimes ends up me just walking around with her tucked in my coat. Once we get home I’ll get ready (she always sits on my lap to help me with my hair and makeup) then I’ll head to work. My sister and I live together and work opposite schedules so she is there to let Rosie out while I’m at work, which is such a big help. Can you bring Rosie to work? No 😭 (PawSwappers, this is a chance to earn Treats and swap with this little cutie) What do you and Rosie get up too on weekends? I typically work weekends, but on days off it will usually depend on the weather. We will either head out to find an adventure somewhere around Vancouver, or spend the day getting things done at home/ Netflixing with lots of snuggles. She is almost always in my arms when I’m at home. How does PawSwap make yours and Rosie's life easier? Rosie loves everyone and always wants to play with every dog we meet on our walks, I love that the PawSwap App makes it so easy to connect with other puppies for Rosie to play with. Also being new to the city it’s a great way to make new friends myself, who also have pets. I love knowing that if there were ever a time where I would have to be away from Rosie for a long period of time that there’s so many nearby options of people to help out, and that Rosie will have a great time as well! Does Andie and Rosie sound like the perfect owner/dog duo to swap with? Add her as a friend on the PawSwap App!

Spend Your Treats: BEAU Canine Essentials Just like a baby, your dogs skin is extremely sensitive! Anything you use on their skin and coat can be absorbed into their body. There are so many options when choosing a doggy shampoo or conditioner. But do you ever take a second to look at the ingredients? Here are a few ingredients you should avoid... Artificial Colours OR Fragrances - can cause irritation, allergy, and respiratory distress Cocomide DEA or MEA - can cause allergy and even be a moderate cancer causing ingredient Cocamidopropyl Betaine - effects the immune system Isopropyl alcohol - is a depressant, nerve toxin, lung and heart irritant, and liver toxin Those are only a few of the many ingredients to stay away from. But a good way to remember is if you can't pronounce it, look it up cause there is a good chance it shouldn't be used on your pup. We came across BEAU Canine Essentials and were immediately drawn to the fact that it was a natural grooming product and has none of those yucky ingredients listed above! BEAU products include... Purified water Coconut oil Honey Aloe vera extract Essential oils and more! BEAU shampoos are locally made in Surrey, which we also loved! Being a crazy dog parent, seeing the words "all natural" is always a sigh of relief but then you can't help but wonder... will it actually clean my dog!? The results speak for themself. The shampoo not only cleanses your dog's skin and coat but also helps to revitalize it and keep it healthy. You could see, feel, and smell the difference that premium natural ingredients have. A little bit of background. Roberto, owner of BEAU, grew up in a family that owns and operates a business that makes animal medicine. He naturally grew very fond of animal health and always wanted to establish a business that improves the health of pets. Roberto studied sustainability at UBC and decided to merge his passion of sustainability and animal health and created a company that offers sustainable products that help dog owners to nurture their pet. As dog owners, it's comforting seeing the commitment and passion that goes into the products we use on our fur-babies. BEAU truly is made with love. #pawswapapp #vancouverdogs #dogsofvancouver No more toxic shampoos! Give your dog what they deserve. Open the PawSwap app and check out our Rewards tab for a special discount on BEAU Canine Essentials. Download app here: https://apple.co/2Q9sZUp