230 posts about exploring the Pacific Northwest with Markus
On a trip to Portland, we hiked the Henline Falls Trail in Oregon. Although the trail is a farther drive south of Portland and the road was bumpy with pot holes, this low-trafficked trail has quickly become one of our favourites in the Pacific Northwest.
Located near Lillooet, the Seton Lake Lookout is a quick but challenging hike that offers breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape, including a hairpin turn, Seton Lake and the majestic mountains behind.
If you're like me, you're all about those easy-win hikes. You know what I mean - the low effort/high reward type hikes. If you're looking for one of those, the Rosario Head Trail was easy to do and the view at the end is absolutely outstanding.
On a trip to Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, we stopped by the Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park for a hike. The actual hike takes about 2 hours with a dog, but you'll likely spend more time taking in the best part of the hike: the views.
If you've heard of Lighthouse Park, you likely know about its view. Located on the coast of West Vancouver, Lighthouse Park is a great spot for a hike that ends up at a beautiful viewpoint by a lighthouse.
While driving through the state of Oregon, we stopped to visit one of its greatest and most beautiful parks, the Crater Lake National Park. The depth of the lake gives it a very striking blue colour, making it one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
Our stroll along Qualicum Beach East Beach with our reactive dog Markus was a serene yet potentially challenging experience due to the popularity of the spot, allowing for a buffer zone on grassy stretches but requiring vigilance amidst the beach's allure and stunning sunset views.
The Hole in the Wall hike near Port Alberni, although potentially crowded due to its touristy nature, offered a trail through a lush forests, river views and the awe-inspiring rock formation with rushing water.
The scenic walk along English Bay Beach and the iconic Vancouver seawall is a fantastic way to feel the breeze on a warm summer day. The highlight of the walk for us was visiting the inukshuk at English Bay Beach Park.
Lions Park in Port Coquitlam, with its unexpectedly serene atmosphere, revealed a hidden riverside oasis perfect for families and dogs to enjoy a safe summer escape.
We recently spent some time in Pitt Meadows for a friend’s wedding and while we were out there, we got to experience a number of reactive dog-friendly activities. Here’s a list of some of the fun things we got to do!
Our exciting visit to Derby Reach Regional Park provided us with a positive experience, as we explored serene trails and the scenic Edgewater Bar Campground, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the park's natural beauty and escape the city's hustle and bustle.
Kanaka Creek Falls in Maple Ridge offers scenic viewpoints and a well-maintained trail, but the falls are restricted by fences, making it less engaging for both dogs and humans. The peaceful ambiance and fresh natural surroundings can still make it a worthwhile destination for a serene walk.
The Pitt River Regional Greenway in Pitt Meadows is known for its rich biodiversity, attracting various wildlife and bird species and provides a flat and accessible surface for walkers, hikers, cyclists and enthusiasts with their dogs.
Queen's Park in New Westminster is a beloved urban park that offers a peaceful retreat amidst lush greenery and towering trees that includes a spray park and historic arena, the park provides a vibrant space for community engagement.
From the quaint boutiques and inviting cafes in downtown to the views of Puget Sound at Brackett's Landing and Marina Beach Park, Edmonds is a charming coastal town that offered a delightful experience that captivated us with its welcoming atmosphere.
Picnic Point Park in Edmonds, Washington, is an enchanting beach getaway that offers a serene escape. With the invigorating scent of sea air, panoramic ocean views and soothing sound of crashing waves, this beach is a gem that provides a tranquil coastal paradise.
Marina Beach Park in Edmonds, Washington, features well-maintained spaces for picnics and benches to enjoy panoramic views of the water. The park includes an off-leash park for dogs to play freely and enjoy beach access.
Brackett's Landing South & North in Edmonds, Washington, offers a picturesque coastal experience that allows visitors to enjoy the sunset and fully immerse themselves on either sides of the landing.
Squalicum Creek Park in Bellingham is a versatile community park that caters to various recreational needs. While it may not offer traditional nature trails, it provides a walking path that encompasses the entire park, which is great for reactive dogs due to its spaciousness and wide paths.
Niagara Falls Goldstream in British Columbia is a must-visit destination for those seeking a waterfall adventure. Accessible from two routes, the culmination of the journey is the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the cascading water.
Sandcut Beach on Vancouver Island is a stunning coastal gem that offers a trail with beautiful views and a small waterfall for those who venture further, but its rocky terrain and limited accessibility may not make it suitable for everyone.
Creyke Point offers a peaceful trail that leads to breathtaking views. With its serene ambiance and hidden wonders, this trail is a delightful escape, but be mindful of the rocky areas going up Creyke Point.
Whistler, BC offers a captivating experience for both outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions. From dog-friendly trails to breathtaking natural beauty, this renowned destination sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure where you and your dog can create lasting memories together.
Discover the natural wonders of Whistler, BC, through a picturesque trail that connects the enchanting lakes of Alpha, Nita, and Alta. This leisurely stroll offers breathtaking views and a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of these stunning lakes.
Experience a serene retreat at the Seaside Hotel in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver. This charming boutique hotel, with its waterfront location and luxurious amenities, provides the ideal setting for a relaxing staycation, away from the city's hustle and bustle.
Discover the perfect outdoor adventure at Lynn Canyon Park's Twin Falls Loop. This short rewarding trail near North Vancouver offers a blend of natural beauty and a suspension bridge, making it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Visit Little Qualicum Falls Park for an exciting trail that combines breathtaking scenery with a touch of adventure. As you set off on your hike, the rushing waters of the majestic falls will welcome you near the trail's starting point.
While Tofino may steal the spotlight with its stunning beaches and surfing, we are fans of the vacation destination of Ucluelet. Located on the breathtaking west coast of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet offers a laid-back and tranquil getaway.
Experience the coastal charm and stunning scenery of the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse trail. Enjoy the wide path, with small nooks with benches and take advantage of the beach access for breathtaking views and a refreshing connection with the ocean.
Embark on a peaceful detour through the Rainforest Figure Eight Trails near Tofino for a serene and immersive experience in nature's beauty.
Tipperary Park is a peaceful and picturesque spot right in the heart of the New Westminster and a hidden treasure worth discovering if you’re looking for a short and quiet walk with your dog.
Enjoy a serene stroll along the New Westminster Walkway, hugging the shimmering Fraser River. The walkway offers ample space for pedestrians and leashed dogs, although certain areas are narrower. Pause at Quayside Park's charming playground before continuing to the bustling River Market where the...
Since it's been extremely smokey outdoors in the last couple days, we wanted something that was quick to do and the trail at Confederation Park in Burnaby, British Columbia was exactly what we were looking for.
On one of our recent walks, our dog Markus managed to slip out of his harness and into the woods. Although he didn't get very far, we decided to upgrade on the harness and wound up purchasing the Ruffwear Flagline Dog Harness with Handle.
When the sun's shining in British Columbia, one of the things we love to do is hop into a lake to cool off. Belcarra Regional Park is a place for families to spend an afternoon on a lake, at one of their many facilities or doing a hike on a trail!
With the recent news that our provincial restrictions were being lifted and recreational travel within our region was allowed, we booked a trip to Harrison Hot Springs which included hot springs, waterfalls, tunnels and so much more!
Harrison Hot Springs is a hot spot and popular location - a quick getaway known for its relaxing spas and hot water pools. Before you start thinking that the Whippoorwill Point Trail is an extension of the relaxing feeling of the town, think again!
Compared to Chilliwack Lake and Lindeman Lake, Bosuemarne Falls is less popular, but not any less beautiful. Although this hike is more hidden and can be a little tricky getting to the end, the view at the end of the waterfalls is absolutely amazing.
Bridal Veil Falls a beautiful waterfall that is located minutes from the highway with a short 10-minute hike. It is one of our favourite stops in British Columbia and since we were driving past the area, we made our first visit to the falls with our dog.
The Othello Tunnels are a series of old train tunnels that have been converted into a walking path for public visitors and their dogs. Throughout most of COVID-19, these tunnels have been closed for restoration but have recently opened up again.
There's a unique strip of land off the coast of Richmond that has become a bit of a rite of passage for those who live here. The Iona Jetty is a 4.1km sewage pipe that runs out of the main land and into the water, a path that locals like to take.
Minoru Lakes is a beautiful habitat located in the heart of Richmond, full of animals living amongst luscious greens. It was so vibrant here that it wasn't surprising to see all the pedestrians choosing to spend their quiet evening walk here.
We made the trip out to Minnekhada Regional Park, which is about an hour from downtown Vancouver. With three lookouts along the way, this was one of the more enjoyable trails and slightly challenging trails that we've done in the past little while!
Whenever you're driving through the George Massey Tunnel, you are driving under Deas Island and the body of water that it sits on top of. This week, we visited Deas Island to check out what it really looks like when cars drive into the tunnel under water.
One of the neat things about Richmond is that it is surrounded mostly by water on all sides. No matter where you are, you don't have to go very far to take a walk along the water and the Dyke Trail is a great place to do it.
One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is that you don't have to go very far to wander in the woods. This past weekend, we opted for something a little more woodsy and we loved our time at Byrne Creek Ravine Park.
The Larry Berg Flight Path Park was opened in 2013 and you'll find plenty of plane spotters with binoculars gathering here. Located off of YVR's south runway, the park is right below a path for incoming flights to watch planes as they descend.
Burnaby Lake is the largest lake in the Lower Mainland and it is situated nearly right in the middle of the city of Burnaby. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary with a rich ecosystem of ducks, geese, beavers with a quiet 10km path going around the lake.
This week, we made a visit to the Capilano River Regional Park, which is located in North Vancouver just past the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The park is bookended by the Cleveland Dam, an impressive structure with rushing water that you can walk on!
While looking for a quieter walk, we ended up at Montrose Park which sits in between the New Brighton Park and Confederation Park with a trail that runs through the park. It's a quiet and low-event park that we recommend to owners of reactive dogs.
What an adventure! Since it was Easter last weekend, we brought Markus to do a little hunt of our own. We made the trip out to Robert Burnaby Park where an artist had spent the past year putting up sculptures located in various areas throughout the park.
A few weeks ago, we visited Central Park in Burnaby, BC and we enjoyed the walk so much that we've gone back a couple of times already. For an urban park located in the city, Central Park gave us so many options for things to do.
Last week, we found ourselves at beautiful park within shooting distance of Deep Cove at Cates Park in North Vancouver. We really enjoyed the time we were there including the views and the short trail that we got to do.
As one of the most well-known and beautiful in the world, Queen Elizabeth Park is one that we find ourselves regularly visiting. Rather than going around the outside of the park, we decided to cut through its gardens this time around!
On one of our recent walks with Markus, we strayed out of Steveston Village and what we found ourselves walking through a historical tour, discovering the beautiful rich history of early workers in Richmond, British Columbia.
With all that's happened this past year, it's miraculous to think that we had just returned home from our road trip at exactly this time a year ago. This week, we're revisiting the trip and what we got to do before the borders closed down.
It's the end of February and we finally got the first snow dump of the season! This week, we wanted to give a few pointers and signs to look out for before going out to play in the snow so that you and your dog can stay safe and have fun.
Unlike other trails at Pacific Spirit Regional Park, this smaller section of the park is a dedicated leash-required area, which is absolutely fantastic for reactive dogs like Markus.
Our location for our rustic photography walk is a familiar one - for those who live in Vancouver and for visitors or tourists of the area. We ended up in Granville Island and we made our way through its backsides and corridors for photo opportunities.
During one of these colder winter days and since we didn't get any snow in the Lower Mainland area of Vancouver, we decided to drive out all the way to Burnaby Mountain in search of snow!
On a recent trip to Victoria, we got to stay at two different hotels, enjoyed some activities around downtown and got to squeeze in a number of things while trying to waste time waiting for our ferry sailing.
Horth Hill Regional Park is 5 minutes away from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, which is perfect if you're looking to spend some time before your sailing. The park is a combination of smaller trails, which allows you to choose the length of your hike.
Victoria is unique in that it offers beautiful walks along the water and dog-friendly beaches within walking distance of downtown. We made our way past Beacon Hill Park to walk down Dallas Rd. and visit the beach at Holland Point Park.
Like we do at this time of the year and now that 2020 is behind us, it’s time to start looking ahead at our goals and plans for 2021. Find out what we’re up to at The Markus Project and the things we have planned for this year!
As we close out the tumultuous year that was 2020, we take a few moments to reflect on the things that we got to do including a road trip through several US states at the very beginning before COVID-19 abruptly halted everything.
Merry Christmas! Those of us living in British Columbia have been under travel restrictions, so we stayed local this Christmas and ended up at one of the things that the city put on: Steveston's Winter in the Village located in Richmond, BC.
For those of you in the Vancouver area, you'll probably recognize the name McArthurGlen not as a place for dogs, but as a place to shop. Since they put up decorations over Christmas, we made a visit with Markus to capture some Christmas photos!
On one of our recent long weekends, we made a trip down to Cowichan Lake to spend time by the lake and along the coast of Vancouver Island. To spend our time, we enjoyed activities around Lake Cowichan and made stops along West Coast Rd.
We took a vacation over a year ago to Vancouver Island to discover the areas north of Victoria and while it was a jam-packed vacation, one of the places that we didn't get a chance to see was the Englishman River Falls, which we finally got to do!
On a recent trip to Cowichan Lake, we took an afternoon to do a combination of a hike that took us down to the mysterious Mystic Beach with its cascading cliffs and view of the Pacific Ocean from a distance.
We took some time to visit Sombrio Beach, one of the beaches along the western-most coast of Vancouver Island. Sombrio Beach is a popular spot, but the thing that drew us to the beach was a hidden secret!
Although we stayed in Abbotsford, it was more of a hub for us to do some of the activities around the surrounding cities in Chilliwack the first day and in Mission the second day. Check out some of our activities from our most recent trip!
Steelhead Falls Trail is a trail that's good for all skill levels including children and dogs. The trail is on the shorter side, but it features a beautiful cascading waterfall that makes this already easy hike even more worth visiting.
Located in Mission, British Columbia, Cascade Falls is a scenic waterfall that can be viewed right in front of a suspension bridge that crosses the river at the end of a short trail. This is one of those low effort, high reward trails that everyone likes!
Lindeman Lake is a vibrant small lake with amazing colours in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia. It is a popular hiking spot and people will make a trip out from Vancouver to do this hike over the weekends.
Cultus Lake is one of those spots in British Columbia that locals love to go camping, swim in the water and relax. We made a stop at the Cultus Lake Beach Off-Leash Dog Park to enjoy the lake and to get Markus' paws wet.
Surrounded by mountains and forests, Squamish is a town north of Vancouver in British Columbia known for major trails like the Stawamus Chief. To get more out of our time in Squamish, we stayed overnight and packed in a number of activities.
Rainbow Park runs along the eastern side of Alta Lake, which sits just on the other side of the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Whistler, British Columbia. People also like to visit this park because it's a great place to take dogs for a swim in Barking Bay!
Porteau Cove is a provincial park that's right off of the Sea-to-Sky Highway about 20 kilometres before Squamish. It is known for its views and dynamic sunsets that overlook Howe Sound and the mountains beyond, which is why photographers love this stop.
Newport Beach (sometimes known as Oceanfront Park) is a stretch of beach that's tucked towards the edge of Squamish looking out into Howe Sound. The view is spectacular and this is a unique location with a combination of a beach and trail.
The Train Wreck Trail is a fascinating trail by Squamish, British Columbia with a suspension bridge taking hikers across the Cheakamus River to the other side where a site of an old train wreck from the 1950's sit.
This week, we leave Springdale and finally conclude our two-week road trip series with a few stops - at Bishop and Redding in California, Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake and Hood River in Oregon.
We’ve heard so much about Lake Tahoe that when we realized we were passing through the area, we wanted to make a stop just to see what all the hubbub was about. We were blown away and had a great time at Lake Tahoe.
The Camosun Bog at the Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a unique, yet fragile ecosystem that is home to many different species of plants and animals that you simply won't find in other parts of Vancouver.
We visited Rocky Point Park two months ago and on the way out, we noticed a map for the Shoreline Trail, which goes around the Burrard Inlet. We promised ourselves that we'd be back here at some point to check out the trail, so here we are.
On this week’s update, we didn't go anywhere particularly far, but to a park known as the Sunset Park Dog Off-leash Enclosure. This park had undergone construction and was reopened in June of 2018. We finally got to visit it for the first time.
We've been in the middle of our 2-week road trip series beyond the Pacific Northwest. We've started our return trip home from Arizona with a stop at Zion National Park in Utah and this week, we pick up a couple hours north at Bryce Canyon National Park.
We've been in the middle of our 2-week road trip series. In last week's update, we started our return trip home from Arizona with a stop on the edge of Zion National Park by Springdale in Utah where we pick up this week.
This week, we wanted to continue our special road trip series. After spending time at Page, Arizona, we now head towards Springdale, Utah to visit a couple more national parks.
Located by University of British Columbia is the Pacific Spirit Regional Park where students and dogs owners alike love to take breaks for a walk in the forest. This is one of our most frequented trails and this week, we try out another trailhead.
We're in the middle of our two-week road trip series beyond the Pacific Northwest to places like California, Nevada and we’re currently in Page, Arizona. One of the stops we made here was a hike at the Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail at Bootlegger Canyon.
We've been in the middle of our two-week road trip series and starting from Vancouver, we've made our way to California, Nevada and we're currently Page, Arizona. While in Page, we squeezed in two stops in Utah and the first was Goosenecks State Park.
The Golden Ears Provincial Park is an impressive park in British Columbia with trails and campgrounds that span over 600 square kilometres. At the centre of the park is the beautiful Alouette Lake, a popular spot for water activities.
One of the biggest reasons we love visiting Rocky Point Park is because it goes along the Burrard Inlet, which makes for a beautiful view basically anywhere you are. At this park, you get access to the park, the beach, trails and an off-leash dog park.
Earlier this year, we took a two-week road trip with Markus and in this series, we’ve covered our trip so far from Vancouver to Las Vegas. This week, we talk about visiting one of the most famous national parks in the world: The Grand Canyon.
This week, continue our special road trip series and this update will take you through Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and we settle in Page. From Page, we do a few things in and around the city including crossing over into Utah.
We're nearly 3 months into one of the most unusual times of our lifetime due to COVID-19. This week, we're reflecting on Markus' time on the road trip that we were fortunate enough to take prior to the travel restrictions and being at home since.
This week, we continue our two-week road trip and we're picking up in Las Vegas, Nevada! At this point, we've driven from Vancouver to California, stopping at Joshua Tree National Park and now we're sharing about our time with a dog in Las Vegas!
Many of our friends have told us about Barnet Marine Park and we've always wanted to visit it. We haven't had the chance since the park is far for us, but since we haven't really gone anywhere during these unprecedented times, we made the drive out.
This week, we continue our special series in California with our visit to Joshua Tree National Park. There are plenty of rules and restrictions for what dogs are allowed to do here and we get into all of that.
While we were in the Los Angeles area, we got to meet up with dog owners and their dogs. Our friends helped set up a hike so the dogs got to meet each other and we went to Monrovia Canyon Park to do the Monrovia Canyon Waterfall Trail together.
This week, we're continuing on to our special road trip series in California. On the way from Vancouver to Los Angeles, we made a stop at Donnelly Park to stretch our legs and it was exactly the stop what we needed.
During these unprecedented times, we've become a lot more conscious about the air around us. As dog owners stuck indoors and sharing space with a dog that's shedding, an air purifier like the one we use by GermGuardian has become more important than ever.
We’re doing a special series on a trip we took beyond the Pacific Northwest through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. This week, we’ll be talking about our road trip on the way to Los Angeles, California.
As part of our two-week road trip, we made stops in Eugene and Hood River, Oregon. In this update, we cover our stay at the Best Western at Hood River, Oregon!
As part of our two-week road trip, we made stops in Eugene and Hood River, Oregon. In this update, we're covering our stay in Eugene, Oregon.
We just got back from a two-week long road trip with Markus and our update will be breaking down the trip and, now that the road trip is over and we’re back at home, what we’re doing to keep Markus busy indoors during our self-quarantine.
At our local pet stores, we've been coming across a brand of single-ingredient treats by Puppy Love Pet Products. Their products are high quality and we actively look to see if stores carry their treats. We're excited to talk about why we love them!
Towards the end of Renfrew St., tucked in behind the PNE, New Brighton Park is a bit hidden, but it is a very popular park. We finally got to visit it and this week, we’re sharing all about it with you.
About a week or so from today, we’re embarking on a two-week road trip. Ahead of the trip, we’re doing some reflection on the things we’re looking forward to and other things we're going to keep an eye on with Markus.
This week, we're bringing you an updates to one of our favourite places to visit in the Vancouver area - Lonsdale Quay located in North Vancouver, British Columbia and Waterfront Park next to it.
About a year ago, Markus escaped while we were at a dog park. That moment highlighted the need for a pet tracker and we were lucky enough to win one with Findster Pet Tracker. We've been using it for a few months and we share our thoughts with you!
Located near one of the busiest intersections in Vancouver, Trout Lake Park (or John Hendry Park) is tucked in about a 10-minute walk away from Commercial and Broadway.
Mutt Cloth has quickly become one of our favourite dog bandana brands because of their unique pattern selection, high-quality fabrics and more importantly, a community with a strong sense of adventure!
Since our last update, we took a trip out to Leavenworth in Washington, which is an amazing Winter Wonderland in Central Washington. We also had some harder moments with Markus and being labeled as aggressive that we wanted to share with you about.
Happy New Year's to everyone from The Pawcific Explorer. It's become a tradition for us to list out our resolutions for Markus at the beginning of the year. Since New Year's just passed a few days ago, we give you our 2020 list of resolutions for Markus!
It's Christmas season and in the city of Coquitlam in British Columbia, it's time for the Lights at Lafarge. This annual Christmas event is a wonderland of over 100,000 Christmas lights turned into installations as you walk your way around Lafarge Lake!
In need of a new harness, we recently purchased the RUFFWEAR Front Range Harness while we were on a trip. Known for their padding, comfort and security, we're really loving our new harness for Markus.
While in Leavenworth, Washington a few weekends ago, we took time out from exploring the town to explore nearby trails and parks with Markus. We discovered and loved our time at Lake Wenatchee State Park, which is about half an hour away from Leavenworth.
If you've ever wondered about visiting Germany, we have a fun little update for you. We spent the Thanksgiving long weekend in Leavenworth, Washington and it was a special getaway to a Bavarian-styled village and a hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest.
On our way to Leavenworth, we made a stop at Wallace Falls State Park. The hike to the Lower Falls was gorgeous and exactly what we were looking for. This week, we give you our breakdown for the parts of Wallace Falls State Park we were able to do.
It’s Markus’ 2nd Gotcha Day and we celebrated by having a little party with him and some dog friends. Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, we wanted to take the time to list out some of the things we’re grateful for.
On a recent trip into Washington, we took a scenic route around Lake Whatcom instead of going straight down the I-5 from Vancouver. From Bellingham, we made a stop at Whatcom Falls Park to stretch our legs out and it was exactly what we were hoping for.
Since the last update, Halloween and all its little costumes came and went! We brought Markus into the office again and we're getting closer to Christmas season.
On a recent visit to Whidbey Island, we made a stop at Double Bluff Beach and Off-Leash Area and it was a pleasant surprise. This 2-mile long beach was very calm with an amazing view was an open area for your dog to run freely.
We take a break from the usual Overnight Adventures to give you a dedicated post on riding ferries - the BC Ferries and the Washington State Ferries - from the perspective of dog owners.
We went on another trip with Markus since the last update during which we picked up a new harness for him. Since we've been back, Markus was dealing with an issue on his eye, which we had to get looked at.
We took a multi-day trip exploring Whidbey Island in Washington. Being from Vancouver, Whidbey Island was reminiscent of the Gulf Islands of British Columbia with the smaller town feel and always being near beaches and water!
While we were recently staying at Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, we did a walk on a beautiful man-made structure known as the Kinsol Trestle. Not sure what a trestle looks like? No worries, I didn't either. It’s beautiful.
When we were transitioning Markus over to raw food, we didn't know where or how to start. On a random day, we were walking with Markus and we came across a store called True Carnivores. We stopped inside and everything changed for us.
During a recent stay at Qualicum Beach, one of the stops we wanted to make was the Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park. The park is a glimpse of the Pacific Northwest's stunning beauty and history condensed into a walkable park.
The past week has been such a special week for us. First, we took Markus on an extended trip to Vancouver Island - the longest trip we've done with him yet and when we got back, Markus played a special role in a wedding.
Since we're from Vancouver, we love regularly make trips to Victoria. On this special trip, we went beyond Victoria to different stops on Vancouver Island including Qualicum Beach, Parksville and Nanaimo.
Since we're still in the middle of allergy season and because Markus is a heavy shedding dog, the Dyson V7 Animal Pro has been such a godsend for us and we wanted to share about it with you.
From the last update, we took Markus on a walk around Vancouver for the Vancouver Mural Festival, we lost something of Markus' that someone kindly brought back to us and we visited Ambleside beach.
We finally got to visit Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, British Columbia, which is east of Vancouver and offers a beautiful and peaceful walk around Deer Lake. The path around the park is a combination of crushed gravel, dirt and a stretch of wooden walkways.
From the last update, we took Markus out to Red Truck Beer Company's Barks and Brews Event. We took him to a couple new walks and parks and we're breaking in a new couch!
In search of a new harness, we compared between effectiveness and price, we ended up going with the Freedom No-Pull Harness. We've been using it for a few weeks and we're sharing our experience with you.
Kings Mill Park is a fantastic off-leash area and it is one of the largest enclosed parks that we've been in British Columbia. At the top of the park, there are grassy areas for the dogs to play, but you can also scale down some rocks for beach access.
On a trip to Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, we squeezed in a couple of hikes with our dog Markus. On this update, we're breaking down the second hike we did - the Skookumchuck Narrows, a hike that offers a very unique taste of British Columbia.
We've recently received a questions about bandanas and how we wear them. Aside from looking great, we also use bandanas for other uses so we're sharing about what those uses are with you and we'll cover how to wear a bandana properly on your dog.
Ever since we discovered SMASHpaw, we can't un-notice them on dogs now. Recently, a lot of people have been getting their tags because they not only come with cute designs, but the hardware is high quality that lasts much longer than the generic tags.
Since our last update, we've taken two trips and in between those trips, Markus caught a mouse, we discovered the Queen Elizabeth hockey area and I discuss what it's been like travelling with raw food and finally trying turkey.
We met up with some of our dog friends at Everett Crowley Park in Vancouver. Everett Crowley Park is a trail that feels like it was made for dogs. They have a nice combination of on-leash and off-leash dogs paths that you can take for your desired length.
On Victoria Day long weekend, we made the trip to Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. It is a ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver and the trip was relaxing and the perfect weekend getaway for us and Markus.
This week, we wanted to do a check in with our mid-year update for 2019. It’s been a really fast moving, but fun year for us and we always look forward to these moments where we almost force ourselves to pause and look at and appreciate all the things that we've gotten to do so far this year.
Garry Point Park is a large waterfront park in Richmond, British Columbia with lots of beaches that's great for families to spend an afternoon. At this park, Markus gets to explore between the washed up driftwood on the beach and the grassy areas.
We recently took a trip down the I-5 to Portland, Oregon and we got to see some amazing sites and capture beautiful photos and memories. Driving from Vancouver, we stayed over for two nights and got to do quite a few activities with Markus.
Located beneath the Granville Bridge in Vancouver, Granville Island is home to some of the freshest seafood you can find. The shops in are filled with all things local or Canadian and it becomes obvious why tourists around the world love coming here.
Since our last update, allergy season's really kicked into high gear, so we're sharing some of our approaches to keep the allergies at bay. This week we also visited Granville Island and we tried raw beef with him.
For as long as we've had Markus, we've been using one of those generic red leashes that you can find at every pet store. It was time to change ours and in our research to find a new leash, we discovered Litto Howler, a stylish and strong brand of leashes!
While staying in Issaquah, Washington, we squeezed in a hike in the morning to stretch our legs and give Markus a bit of exercise. Our hotel was located 5 minutes from the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park where we had a soggy, but fulfilling hike!
It's been a few months since we put Markus on a raw food diet and now that we've had the chance to establish a routine and crunch some numbers, we're taking a deeper look into the cost of going raw.
On this trip, we had some business in Seattle, but after that was done, we took some time out to visit the islands near Seattle along the west side of the state of Washington.
We're excited to tell you about one of Markus' favourite snack brands this week: Naked Beasts. We first stumbled upon Naked Beasts on Instagram and after having made some orders, it's quickly become our go-to high level treat.
There are a lot of training methods for leash training dogs. We're sharing how we leash trained Markus - broken down by the harness and the leash separately. I don't know if ours is the best (probably far from it), but it was the one that worked for us.
Whenever we want to take a scenic stroll in Vancouver, we'll often end up at Stanley Park. Though it's not really a trail for dogs, experiencing the Seawall in Stanley Park is almost like a rite of passage for Vancouverites - especially during sunset.
It's snowed in Vancouver since the last update, so Markus has had some fun in the snow. Despite the snow, the weather's actually held up this the past month and we've been able to visit quite a few parks.
One of the newer dog parks in the Vancouver area, the Renfrew Community Park Dog Off-Leash Enclosure has quickly become one of our more frequented parks. This off-leash dog park can be very busy, but a great park to tire your dog out!
Since our last update, we made an impromptu trip to Bellevue with Markus. It was a quick overnight trip, but we managed to squeeze a lot into the two days. We also brought Markus back into the office again this week and we discovered the horse brush.
The SleekEZ Grooming Tool is one of the best kept secrets that we recently stumbled upon. As owners of a dog that sheds like Markus, we're always looking out for tools that could help us get through the shedding season faster and this is that tool.
This past weekend, we felt like taking an impromptu trip and go someplace with Markus. Without having anything planned, we booked a hotel at the Hotel 116 and spent the weekend in Bellevue.
The Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a popular spot and one of our most frequented parks because of the possible combinations of trails that provide a number of different paths to take based on your desired length, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Since our last update, we’ve had the opportunity to visit Pacific Spirit Regional Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. We’re also providing an update on Markus’ transition to the raw food diet, including some little bonuses.
To kick off the year, we wanted to share some of our resolutions with you as our "put it out into the universe" type of thing. In the past year, we made a lot of progress with Markus and his training, so we wanted to ramp up those goals up for 2019.
On behalf of Markus and all of us, we wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays. We have a couple major updates this week about Markus' daring escape and switching him to a raw diet.
Since we've had Markus, we've been invited to a few dog birthday parties. At these parties, there's often a cake for the dogs and whenever we ask the owners where they got the cake, the answer always seems to be: Three Dog Bakery.
Having Queen Elizabeth Park, one of the most beautiful gardens and parks in the world, so close to us is a privilege and we make sure to take advantage by visiting to enjoy the sights and smells of nature with Markus!
It's a little bit early, but we're doing our Christmas post already. This week, Markus met Santa Paws, we share his Christmas wish list of his favourite things and he gets a new mean friend, the Grinch.
This week, we're catching you up on the past two weeks while we've been away. Since we've been back, we've taken Markus to McDonald Beach and the groomers to get washed up!
We stumbled upon this part of the Pacific Spirit Regional Park trail while walking along Spanish Banks beach in Vancouver, Canada. Technically a part of the greater park, this trail is great way to enjoy nature while getting some exercise with your dog.
It's been a year since we rescued Markus! On this update, we revisit some of the concerns that we had about Markus and his aggression a year ago, how the year has gone and how he's doing today.
This week, we're getting into the Christmas season, we're sharing about the effects of daylight savings on Markus and our Naked Beasts dehydrated whole prey snacks finally arrived!
Halloween just passed, so you know what that means. Dog costumes! We spent the afternoon walking down West Broadway in Vancouver for their HOWL-O-WEEN Kids & Pets Trick or Treat event.
As part of our leash training with Markus, we switched him on to a front clip harness and it was very effective. We used the Easy Walk Harness by PetSafe and after months of using it, we share our review of the harness.
On our journey to train Markus into becoming a dog that's comfortable being off-leash, we brought Markus to McDonald Beach - a long stretch of beach and water that's technically not enclosed, but has fairly distinct boundaries.
We brought Markus in to get his teeth cleaned and we're sharing the experience of going through the procedure. Once he bounced back, we also brought Markus to an off-leash park without an enclosure where we learned more things about him.
Twin Falls Trail is located near North Bend, Washington and the hike took us around 2 hours to complete with Markus. The hike was moderately-trafficked and best part of the trail are, as its name suggests, the two waterfalls.
We taken a few road trips with Markus and we've had people ask us about traveling with a reactive dog and finding places to stay. This week, we share our top tips on taking road trips with your dog.
Last weekend, we attended a wedding in Sorrento and got to bring Markus along on the trip. While we were there, we had some down time and got to explore these areas of interior British Columbia.
Dog monitors provide us with the peace of mind when we have to leave Markus in a room on a trip. We're reviewing the Wyze Cam Pan which are cameras, but can also double as dog monitors for trips.
We've received some questions from some of you about how we set everything up in the car for the longer road trips. Markus is also a dog who doesn't like to settle in the car so we wanted to spend time going through what's worked for us.
We went down to Seattle for a concert last weekend and we ended up staying in Bellevue because of the cost and we really enjoyed our time there. About 20 minutes out of Seattle, Bellevue is a great place to stay with its own activities in the area.
Our focus for today’s review is an app (phone and tablet), rather than the physical products like dog toys or leashes we've reviewed to date. The Dog Monitor App was such a service to us that we wanted to share it with you.
On one of those days where we really just needed to go somewhere closer with Markus, we discovered the Fraser River Park, a smaller park with an off-leash dog park, a walkway along the Fraser River and all the grass that Markus needs.
We adopted Markus about nine months ago and we're doing our quarterly check-in this week to see how his training and development are coming along.
Our SMASHpaw tags finally arrived this week and we're excited to tell you about them. We recently met another Jindo at the Shiba Meetup and we try out Bosley's Self Serve Dog Wash for the first time.
We love going to Deep Cove, North Vancouver. With the many things you can do, it's one of our favourite ways to spend an entire day. One of the things that people love to do is the Quarry Rock hike, which we recently got to do with Markus.
Bandanas are a major part of Markus' wardrobe and Pine & Bone has quickly become one of our favourite brands in a sea of other bandana brands. We recommend checking out Pine & Bone the next time you're looking for a new bandana!
We finally got to take Markus on his first full hike up to Quarry Rock at Deep Cove, North Vancouver! This past weekend, we also noticed him reacting in a way that we don't want him to develop and we also got a new toy for the family.
When we started this blog months ago, our plan was to share a glimpse of raising a dog from overseas with you. We planned to discuss through our profound experiences and this week, we bring you the most profound subjects of them all: poop bags!
The Millers Forge Nail Clipper was one of the first products we purchased when we adopted Markus. Although we've had to work up the courage to actually use these nail clippers, the product itself has been great, especially at its cost.
Before we adopted Markus, Ambleside Beach was one of our favourite beaches to frequent located just over the Lions Gate Bridge from downtown Vancouver. Catch it during the sunset and it is a taste of the beauty that Vancouver has to offer.
Since our last check-in, we took our first overnight trip with Markus! We're also trying out a new dog groomer and we're teaching Markus some new tricks.
The Empathy For Life is a private animal shelter in South Korea that took in Markus and raised him for over a year. We're both thankful and grateful to the work that Empathy for Life does and we hope that this post extends the conversation.
Known for making toys for destructive dogs, we recently picked up the Kong Bear with the hopes of finding middle ground between the non-destructible rubber toys and a cotton-filled plush toy that gets destroyed all too quickly. Find out how it stacked up.
Last weekend, we took our first official overnighter trip with Markus to Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. We wanted to share some of our highlights while we were on the island, places we stayed and the trip getting there (which requires a ferry)!
It's been six months since we rescued Markus from South Korea and while it's cliché to say that it felt like yesterday, it really has felt that way. While the time has been fun and we've seen lots of progress in the training, we've also had challenges.
Since the last check-in, we got to bring Markus into the office for a full day of work, we won an Instagram contest, we gave Markus the Kong Bear (and then had to quickly take it away) and we zone in on Markus' inability to catch.
The Garden City Dogs Off-Leash Area was a temporary dog park, but it has since undergone major upgrades to become one of the more-frequented dog parks in Richmond, British Columbia. Between grass, large rocks and logs, there's a lot to love at this park.
A few months ago, we gave Markus a BeneBone for his Christmas gift. It is a hard chew toy that's made out of nylon and a good alternative for dog owners to not have to use real bones.
Since the last check-in, we brought Markus to the vet and discovered one of the worst smells we've ever encountered in our lives, we got our first shipment from BarkBox and we met some new friends at the Shiba Meetup!
The South Arm Dog Off Leash Area is an enclosed dog park located inside South Arm Park in Richmond, British Columbia. The park is medium-sized with a good mix of grass and crushed rock with plenty of space for dogs to run around and play.
We've had a string of rainy days in Vancouver and when Markus gets wet, he takes hours to dry off. In search of a rain jacket, we picked out the Packable Dog Rain Poncho by RC Pets. Find out how this dog jacket did against the Vancouver rain!
Since the last update, Markus concluded his doggy training classes with a test. How did he do? He also got to meet toddlers for the first time, and it is the beginning of our most dreaded Vancouver season: rain.
In the early days when we were starting to leave Markus at home alone, the Kong Wobbler played a big role in our training. The Kong Wobbler has allowed us to stimulate Markus mentally and create a distraction for him.
Since the last check-in, we want to give you some updates from our doggy training classes. We also provide an update on the Valens food, bringing Markus into the office and teaching him to how to shake paws.
Since the last update, we've taken Markus to more parks as part of his socialization training, there's been some major news on Acana dog food and the lawsuit they’re facing and we purchased a long 50-foot leash for Markus and tried him on it.
In the early days of adopting Markus, we were introduced to Grannick's Bitter Apple Spray as a tool for us to distinguish bad behaviour. The reviews on Bitter Apple Spray have been up and down, so we share our experience using it with Markus.
Since the last check-in, it snowed in Vancouver and we got to see Markus play in the snow for the first time! We also started attending our doggy training classes so wanted to provide some of those updates with you. Plus derp.
This is the first of our Paws & Reflect series where we reflect on how things have gone. It's only been three months and the trip to the Sea-Tac Airport is so vivid, but here are some of our initial thoughts on our first few months with Markus.
Since the last check-in, we've learned that not all dogs get excited when their owners come home, so we caught Markus on video as we came home. We also noticed his orderliness and we discuss how we pick out his toys as a slightly destructive dog.
David Gray Park is an off-leash dog park located in Burnaby, British Columbia. The park is mostly dirt and sandy with areas of grass towards the end. It is a very spacious park, which is great for reactive dogs like Markus.
During our first shedding season with Markus, we picked up a couple of FURminator brushes - one for taking off surface level debris and loose fur and a deshedder to complement the first brush. In this update, we review the effectiveness of these brushes.
Since the last check-in, we went through our first shedding season with Markus and it was something else. Markus is starting to become territorial in the neighbourhood and he's been shaking his head a bit, so we tell you what that means.
Since the last check-in, we let Markus off at an off-leash park (who was said to be an aggressive dog upon his rescue). We took him in for a bath and we noticed he's starting to develop a sleeping routine.
Since the last check-in, we’ve been been on vacation, so we had to leave Markus with a dog sitter for the first time. We got to meet his new cousin puppy Archie and we go through our New Year's Resolutions with Markus.
Kuranda makes dog beds for dogs with the tendency of destroying the traditional cloth or cotton beds. Made with PVC piping and finished with a nylon mesh, this bed is practically impossible for dogs to chew through and great for destructive dogs.
Since the last check-in, we got to introduce Markus to some cousin dogs and we discovered types of dogs Markus seems to be more comfortable with. If you've ever wanted to follow Markus' adventures, we started an Instagram account for him!
While doing research to rescue a dog, we came across the Dog-Meat Trade and Dog-Meat Farms in South Korea. We wanted to share about some of the things we learned because it played a major role in us deciding where to adopt our dog.
Since the last check-in, we've started to notice instances of Markus being territorial at home. We picked up a box for Markus to store his toys and we tried to trim his nails for the first time!
A few people have asked us about the decision to rescue rather and we're spending some time to answer that question this week. The decision wasn't easy, so we wanted to share our concerns with rescuing and why we ultimately chose to do it.
Since the last check-in, our Kuranda finally arrived! We let Markus off-leash in an empty a tennis court, so we wanted to tell you how that went. We've also started noticing Markus' excitement when we come home, which is incredibly sweet.
This is part two of our adoption story, which goes beyond the local shelters and to places like Thailand, South Korea and Japan in search of a dog to rescue. Our story happens in the Pacific Northwest and we hope it can be a roadmap those hoping to adopt.
Since the last check-in, we wanted to share about our experience leaving our dog Markus home alone, the type of food he's eating and some of the early tendencies we've seen since we rescued him a few weeks ago.
Our adoption story takes us beyond our local shelters and to Thailand, South Korea and Japan in search of a dog to rescue. Our story takes place in the Pacific Northwest and our hope is that it can be a roadmap to others who are also looking to rescue.
We've had our new dog Markus from Korea for 10 days now, so we're still early in the feeling out process for each other. On this week's check-in, we're sharing the things we've already learned about Markus and some other things we've done together.
It's been several days since we adopted Markus and it's been full of surprises, but it's also been a a blur. Before we forget everything, we wanted to share the story about the day we went to the airport to pick up Markus.
Meet Markus! He's a Shiba Inu/Jindo mix, who has the face of a Shiba Inu, but the size of a Jindo. The result? An oversized looking Shiba Inu. In our limited time together, people haven't been shy to tell us, "Wow! That's a big Shiba!"