WELCOME TO OUR BLOGS

A young Golden doodle and a senior Aussie mix communicate to each other their mutual intent to play. The older dog bows to the Golden Doodle, who is young and already in a "play bow" and irrespective of arthritis in the hips and lumbar area on the Aussie mix, he hides any joint discomfort but he does not hide his kind, youthful and loving personality towards this young Golden doodle. It is a perfect demonstration of polite dog communication prior to playing.

A local guide to favourite Vancouver and Sea-to-Sky outings, thoughtful challenge, water-loving dogs, and why the best adventure is not always the hardest one. Choose the adventure for the dog beside you today—not the dog they were three summers ago. Some Trails Are Beautiful. Some Trails Are Useful. The Best Ones Are Both. If dogs wrote trail reviews, they would be refreshingly honest. Sully awards five paws for warm sunny rocks, quiet forests, gentle terrain and a respectab

How natural terrain supports balance, body awareness, confidence—and the capacity for lifelong adventure. Some dogs search for the next challenge. Others find the perfect place to sit in the sun. Both are adventuring exactly as they should. The Forest Does Half The Work To us, a forest trail is scenery. To a dog, it is a live information network. Before we have finished admiring the first cedar, our dogs have already gathered an astonishing amount of information. They know wh

You've probably heard it before: "Your dog kind of looks like you." But what if it goes deeper than appearance? From shared habits to emotional patterns, dogs don't just resemble their guardians - they begin to mirror them. The science behind it is real...and what it means might change how you see your dog.

When Bowie’s Embark Vet DNA test results arrived, they revealed something unexpected about his ancient northern breed dog genetics. Despite being a Husky–Malamute mix, Bowie carries an unusually high amount of retained ancient DNA — something that often shows up in dogs who still behave a little more like their working ancestors than modern companion breeds. That genetic blueprint has shaped everything from his communication style to his independence, and quite possibly even

Why Their Nervous System Changes Everything About Bodywork Husky meeting nose to nose with his bodywork practitioner If you live with a Husky, Malamute, Akita, or other northern or primitive breed, you’ve probably noticed something interesting. They don’t rush to please. They observe first. They assess. Then they decide whether your request makes sense. This isn’t stubbornness. It’s ancient wiring. Northern and primitive breeds evolved in environments where indepe

Dogs eating grass is common, but the reasons behind it aren't always what people think. While some assume it signals illness, research suggests it may relate to natural digestive behaviour, instinct, or mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Understanding when grass eating is normal - and when it may indicate a deeper issue - can help you better support your dog's overall health.

If dogs could text us about their bodies, we’d probably get a lot more information. Unfortunately, instead of sending messages like: “Hey, my left hip feels tight today.” …they send: Stares. Pauses. Sits slowly. Pretends nothing happened. Because dogs don’t complain with words. They communicate with movement. So let’s imagine what their texts might actually say if they could. 📱 Text #1: “Can we not do the stairs today?” You: “Why are you standing at the bottom?” Dog (in your

Sometimes the most powerful support is simply staying close When a dog experiences an acute injury or undergoes surgery, the body enters a highly organized — and highly sensitive — healing phase. This stage is not just about pain control or “keeping them quiet.” It’s about how tissues heal, how movement patterns reorganize, and how the nervous system interprets safety during recovery. At Soul Paws, I work with dogs in this exact window — not to replace veterinary care, but

This blog describes the top 3 ways dogs show they love you and 3 ways we can return the favour

This article is part of a 10-part series exploring fascinating (and often misunderstood) facts about how dogs move, feel, and adapt. If you missed the first instalment, you can read Facts #1–10 here. Nate, a senior Aussie-Greyhound, enjoys the late winter sun on his back while standing in the sand at Jericho Beach, Vancouver. Why Everyday Movement Matters More Than You Think (Facts #11 - 20) Dogs are masters of " I'm fine. Carry on ." Walkies! Park! Squirrel! Treat! They qui

Why front-end tension is rarely “just the neck” Mars (black Pitbull Terrier) lying on his side during myofascial release session Dogs do not have a bony clavicle attaching the forelimb to the trunk. Instead, the entire front limb is suspended from the axial skeleton by a complex system of muscles known as the thoracic sling. This sling supports the dog’s body weight, allows shock absorption, and enables dynamic, adaptable movement during standing, walking, running, and turnin

Dogs don’t cry, complain, or point to what hurts. Instead, they communicate pain through subtle changes in how their bodies move, rest, and respond to touch. Because these signals are often quiet and gradual, discomfort can go unnoticed until it begins affecting behavior or mobility more significantly. Learning to recognize the physical signs of pain allows owners to respond earlier—often before discomfort becomes chronic or disruptive. Why Pain Is Hard to See in Dogs Pain i

From scent-driven brains to motion-sensitive eyes - what makes dogs extraordinary What’s happening beneath your dog’s fur matters more than most people realize. Dogs don’t just look different from us — they are wired differently. Their brains, nerves, fascia, and sensory systems are built to interpret the world in ways humans simply can’t. What looks like “behaviour” is often biology in action. This article is Part 1 of a 10-part series exploring 100 of the most fascinat

Pavement, leashes, elevators, and limited free movement — and how massage helps restore balance. City life offers dogs many advantages: access to parks, social exposure, structured routines, and close companionship with their humans. But urban living also quietly reshapes how dogs move, how their muscles develop, and how their bodies cope with daily demands. Unlike dogs who roam freely on varied terrain, urban dogs move in constrained, repetitive ways — guided by leashes, li

Understanding a serious canine illness, early warning signs, and why prevention matters. Introduction Parvovirus is one of the most feared words a dog owner can hear — and for good reason. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening viral illness , particularly dangerous for puppies and unvaccinated dogs. While parvo is often discussed in veterinary settings, many dog owners don’t fully understand how it spreads, why it’s so dangerous, or how to

As devoted pet parents, we invest in the best food, daily walks, and regular grooming — but in 2026, one often-overlooked detail has become critical: cleaning your dog’s paws after walks. With new cases of canine parvovirus in Vancouver, especially near the Downtown Eastside and various parks in East Vancouver (so far), and increased awareness of bacteria like Shigella, it’s time we treat paw hygiene as essential, not optional — especially for senior dogs, puppies, and immuno

Normalizing recovery routines for every dog — not just sport or working dogs. Introduction When we hear the word athlete , most people picture agility dogs flying over jumps, working dogs pulling sleds, or competitive sport dogs in peak condition. Rarely do we think of the family dog enjoying a neighborhood walk or a slow wander through the park. But here’s the truth: every dog is an athlete — even the ones who never compete . Walking, sniffing, stopping, pulling slightly on

Taking care of a dog means more than just feeding and walking. One of the most beneficial yet often overlooked ways to improve your dog's health and happiness is through regular massage. Massage therapy for dogs can help with physical health, emotional well-being, and even strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend. This article explores the top benefits of regular dog massage and how you can incorporate it into your pet care routine. Understanding the Dog Massage

Why one-sided fun can quietly strain your dog’s body — and how to prevent it. Introduction Fetch. Tug. Running. These are some of the most common — and most loved — activities in a dog’s daily life. They’re energizing, enriching, and a fantastic way to bond. But like anything repetitive, these activities can quietly shape the body in ways we don’t always expect. When dogs perform the same movements over and over again, especially in one direction or with the same pattern, cer