The beautiful Kara from Tails of Istanbul is still available for adoption and needs a foster home in Canada...I posted about this lovely lady for the 9th Day of my 12 Adoptable Pets of the Holiday Season blog series, but alas, she's still waiting for her perfect match.

Kara has an opportunity to fly to Toronto on February 15th, but she needs a foster or forever home solution in time -- could that be YOUR home? If so, get in touch with Sara Graham of Vanimal Rescue Society ASAP!

Also, in order to raise money to cover costs associated with transporting Kara and her sister, Bal, a FUNDRAISER has been set up at www.gogetfunding.com/vanimal-rescue-society/

(SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFO)

Kara is Bal’s sister and they were rescued together last August.
Approx 2 years old.
She has been spayed and has received all vaccinations.
Loves humans and good with other dogs.
Kara has a playful personality and loads of energy!

Check out the video below to see more of Kara...

Do you remember Pumpkin from the Toronto Humane Society? He was "my guest" for one of the 12 Adoptable Pets of the Holiday Season blog series.

I've got some great news...Pumpkin HAS BEEN ADOPTED! He went home right before the holidays...on December 23rd...so this lucky boy got to go home for Christmas and New Years Eve.

There are many more cats that need loving homes at the Toronto Humane Society. Be sure to visit if you are ready to make the commitment to one of these beautiful fur babies...

Once the actual first massage is over, we can discuss my findings (though I can often also discuss this as I go through the first session, as I find issues). We then discuss options moving forward.

Obviously recommendations are made on a case by case basis and depend on my findings and your principle concerns, but generally speaking there are two major options should you choose to go forward with my services. To see the best initial results, it’s usually better to cluster three or so appointments fairly close together (no more than a week apart for each appointment).

After that, we can go appointment by appointment on a kind of maintenance schedule (which can occur weekly, every 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks, depending on your pet’s particular issues), OR we can continue clustering appointments close together (and you can continue to book in packages of 3 or more, saving 20%) with a break of a few weeks in between.

During and directly after the session, I will also show you how to do some of the strokes — usually effleurage, raking and tapotement — which will become part of your home care plan. I will also follow up with specific home care instructions, tailored to your pet’s needs, via a PDF sheet emailed to you after the appointment (usually the same night or the following day).

Continuing from yesterday and what happens at the first pet massage appointment…Part 2, the second half of the first appointment…

It’s best for Mom and/or Dad to be near by in the case of dogs, as this is reassuring for them (and sometimes Mom or Dad can be hands on, offering treats or pets if their animal is feeling unsure).

I begin with what’s called the effleurage stroke (pressure in the base of my palm, fingers together and hovering above) down either side of the neck. This warms the muscle tissues and prepares the area for a deeper stroke — raking (fingers splayed, pressure in the tips), which I do down the neck with the lay of the fur. A stroke called petrissage follows (done with my thumbs, in a ‘punching bag’ kind of motion). I finish with at least three strokes of effleurage before moving on to the next region.

Okay, now, the nitty gritty…what happens at the first pet massage appointment (Part 1).

So, I’ve arrived at your house with drop sheet, a floor mat type bed (unless you already have this sort of thing at your end that you don’t mind me using), antibacterial gel and a hand towel, along with the case history form with the info you’ve provided me with.

The first thing that happens is I ask any follow up questions based on the info you sent me in your case history form. In some cases, a possible contraindication may have arisen, which will affect the appointment going forward. Click HERE to see a list of contraindications. In most cases, if a contraindication arises, it simply means massage will need to be modified or postponed, and we will have dealt with this prior to my arrival for your pet’s first session,

Then I wash up and put the drop sheet on the bed, so everything’s ready for the first massage...

So, what do you need to know before your pet’s first massage therapy appointment with me? Here is a copy of the information sheet I send out to all my dog clients prior to their first session:

…and here’s the PDF I send out to cat clients:

So, you've decided you want K9 massage therapy for your pet…

First, you'll need to get in touch and book an appointment.

Why would you want to book with me?  As I say on my website:

I have worked with dogs and cats in one capacity or another my entire working life.  Ever since I was a small child, I have made strong connections with animals of all sorts.  I could empathize with them, quickly creating incredible bonds through my calm demeanour and positive energy, winning their trust when others couldn't.  Friends, family and even strangers have commented that I have "a way" with animals. 
 
I have continued to strengthen this connection with animals, especially dogs and cats, over the years by working with them in many different settings and circumstances, by being an animal parent all my life, and by being attuned to Reiki Level II…My massage therapy sessions are thereby strengthened, more meaningful and positive both physically and emotionally to the pets I work with.
 
I also find the dog’s or cat’s Moms and Dads relaxing during their loved one’s session!  I am proud to have forged excellent relationships with both my dog/cat clients and my human clients as well.  I feel I am a part of their team.

I started Kuri K9 Massage to create healthier, happier lives for fur babies AND their parents—ultimately adding to both the quality AND quantity of the pet’s life, thereby making the most of the time they have with their human parents.  Our fur babies’ lives are all too short, and pet parents are well aware of this.  I relieve physical and emotional pain and tension in your fur babies, thereby relieving stress for YOU, boosting you and your pet’s quality of life together for longer.

So, Xena WAS going to be featured on my 12 Adoptable Pets of the Holiday Season, but she beat me to it! She found a home before I could post about her - congratulations Xena!

I thought I'd include her video and info, so you can see the blog anyway, knowing she's FOUND HER FOREVER HOME...

Xena should go to a very experienced handler who is familiar with "working dogs" and has knowledge of her breed traits. An adult-only home with people who lead an active lifestyle would be ideal. She should also, at least for now, be the only pet in the home.

Xena is really an amazing girl. She adores her people, and is so affectionate with those she trusts. She is a team player. Once you're on her team, you're on it for life. There's no limit to this girl's loyalty. She is the epitome of best friend. She just needs a confident, active owner to help guide her with solid routine and structure.