Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EcBSyEa6v/

New findings from the The Dog Aging Project examined blood metabolites from companion dogs across the country and found metabolic patterns tied to lifespan — specifically whether dogs died sooner or later — that closely mirror biomarkers already linked to human aging. Because pet dogs share our homes, environments, and often our lifestyles, researchers argue they may be an unusually powerful natural model for studying long-term human healthspan and aging biology, without the ethical and logistical limits of controlled human trials. 🐕🧬

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082341.htm

Life wisdom, ala ketchup Doritos.

I saw these at the Country Grocer here in Lake Cowichan and, of course, I had to try them. Because why not? I mean- they’re even vegan! If I’m being honest, the experience was….alright. Not awful. Not amazing. But it was still fun to try them. And this got me thinking about curiosity without commitment. There’s something wonderful about being willing to try something simply because you’re curious, don’t you think?

You don't have to know whether you'll like it.

You don't have to decide whether it will become your new favorite thing.

You don't have to make it part of your life.

If it’s a new hobby or skill you don’t even have to know if you’ll be any *good* at it (this one is tough as I’m a total perfectionist!)

You can just… try it.

Sometimes we put an awful lot of pressure on ourselves when we step outside of our usual routines. We think that if we try something new, we need to figure it out. Decide. Commit. Make it worthwhile. But what if curiosity could be enough? What if we could experiment with a new food, a new hobby, a different way of doing things, a new perspective, or even a new way of relating to ourselves—and simply notice what happens?

Do I like this?
Does this feel good?
Is this interesting?
Would I like to do this again?

And if the answer is no? That’s ok!

Not everything we try needs to stick. Not every experience needs to become a lesson. Not every new thing needs to become our thing.

Sometimes we get to take a tiny adventure, discover that ketchup-flavored Doritos are… well… ketchup-flavored Doritos, and move on with absolutely no regrets. So here's your ketchup flavored life lesson for today-

Stay curious. Try things. Give yourself permission to change your mind.

You can explore without committing.

And sometimes, that's where a little more freedom lives. ❤️

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Pet Loss Support Group on 10/19/26. 📆

Losing a pet is never easy. Join with others who share your feelings and understand your loss at complimentary support group meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month from 7-8pm at Wholistic Paws in Ashburn. ***NEW LOCATION***

All family members, including children, are welcome to attend.

We are looking for veterinary assistant help. If interested, please submit your resume to [email protected]

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This is Dreki. He participates in our online fitness program. He LOVES to work out and learn new exercises. Dreki is a fast learner! He has improved so much in his hip and hock strength, and his body awareness has become very impressive! You are crushing it Dreki - great job buddy! 💪💪

I went for a hike a few weeks ago with a new friend, Kate, at Cobble Hill Mountain here on Vancouver Island. Now, I should probably start by saying that I am not—and have never been—built for speed, agility, or hiking. But I was really looking forward to moving my body and having the chance to experience a little more of the beauty of this island, especially with such good company.

We started with a very reasonable goal: make it to the water tower. I wish I had taken pictures because the rainforest was absolutely magical. It felt every bit like walking through the Forest Moon of Endor… although sadly, there were no Ewoks to be found. I’d be lying if I said that the hike to the water tower was not a challenge for me. But once we got there, I was surprised to find that we were both feeling pretty good. So we decided to go just a little farther—to explore some trails Kate hadn’t been on before.

And so we wandered- A little farther….And then a little farther...And then… a little farther. And somehow, we wound up at the summit! I was tired. Definitely. There were more than a few moments going up and down when I felt uneasy and thought, I really don't like heights! And the truth is, we could have stopped at any point. We could have turned around at the water tower and still would have spent a lovely couple of hours together in some of the most breathtaking nature I’ve ever experienced.

But then I would have missed this view, looking out over the Salish Sea. And what a view it was.

It was also, for me, a pretty significant accomplishment to realize that I had actually made it to the top of a mountain. (Okay, perhaps more accurately, a very enthusiastic hill). As I share this with you, I’m not sure there’s a grand philosophical lesson here, except maybe this:

Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Again and again and again. On the hard days, the easy days, the days that make you wonder if you’ve lost your mind or if you are on the right track in your life. Look up every once in a while—not only so you can appreciate the beauty around you, but also so you can catch your breath. (I needed to do that part A LOT.) And when you finally get where you were trying to go, stop for a moment and savor it. Because I think we so often forget to do that.

We reach the thing we were working toward and immediately start looking for the next thing.

We make it through something hard and then forget how hard we worked to get there.

We focus so much on where we’re going that we forget to look back and notice how far we’ve come.

So, to all of you out there that I love so much in our Wholistic Paws family:

Take a moment to look back.

Notice what you’ve survived.
Notice what you’ve created.
Notice what you’ve learned.
Notice what you’ve changed.
Notice the steps—especially the difficult ones—that brought you here.

And then, for goodness' sake, stop and enjoy the view! Celebrate the fact that you made it. Celebrate who you are right now, in this moment, before you start worrying about where you need to go next. Because you are not a project that needs to be finished.

You are already a gift.

You are a gift in this world, exactly as you are, right now. ❤️

And sometimes, the best thing we can do is take one more step… and then remember to look up and take it all in.

💜

We have assembled the essentials for the week ahead.

Some are practical.
Some are questionable.
One may be a raccoon.

Carry what you can.

🤎

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