According to Wikipedia, Sentience is defined as "the ability to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively. Eighteenth-century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think (reason) from the ability to feel (sentience). In modern Western philosophy, sentience is the ability to experience sensations (known in philosophy of mind as "qualia"). In Eastern philosophy, sentience is a metaphysical quality of all things that requires respect and care. The concept is central to the philosophy of animal rights, because sentience is necessary for the ability to suffer, and thus is held to confer certain rights."

The driving force behind Rescue is the observation that companion animals are Sentient creatures and wholly reliant on their humans for the quality of their lives. When animals are in need or in suffering there are the few and mighty among us that strive to be the voice for those who are incapable of helping themselves. 

When a Sentient being is added to a Human family, that animal is, for lack of a better way of saying it, at the mercy of the people it lives with. What it eats and drinks, how it is trained, the way it is treated, access to warm and dry housing, all rests in the hands of Humans. And, although Rescuers are repeatedly exposed to animals that have been neglected or have been subjected to abuse or have been abandoned, they work tirelessly to save the voiceless and helpless Sentients. 

Beating in the hearts of all Rescuers is the belief that Sentient animals deserve a life filled with love and compassion. In most rescue efforts, there are so many people working behind the scenes it is truly overwhelming. To understand what a day in the life of a Rescuer is like I would invite you to volunteer with a Rescue or Shelter just to catch a glimpse of what is going on in the world of the mistreated Sentient. Imagine facing the odds day after day and relying on the kindness of others in order to survive. 

Oh boy, the dreaded Canadian winter months are upon us again! Not exactly optimal dog walking weather is it? What are your cold weather strategies to keep Sir Pooch A Lot occupied and exercised when you are cooped up in the house?

With a little creativity you can keep your dog mentally stimulated and exercised while Old Man Winter takes over the great outdoors. Keeping your pup mentally exercised is half the battle in burning off the indoor blues and, is of equal importance to physical exercise. 

Providing meals in a treat dispensing ball or puzzle dish is a quick and easy way to engage the K9 brain. Why not banish the bowl and replace it with a fun and mentally challenging food puzzle that will aid in keeping Fido entertained and busy? Following their noses is another activity that works your dog's brain; which is why a hide and go treat seeking game is another excellent choice to mentally challenge Fido. 

Regardless of your indoor games, I certainly hope that there will be plenty of days to get outside for a nice walk with your pooch, even if its for a quick zip around the block. Remember to gear yourself AND your dog up for harsh winter temps, and use common sense on what reasonable walking conditions are. 

My winter walk strategies include:

• dressing myself in layers, once you start walking you may need to unzip or unbutton the outer shell
  
• gauge the direction the wind is blowing, walk into the wind on the way out of the house so that it will be at your back on the way home
• wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from blowing snow and high winds
• use non slip mittens or gloves so you can keep a grip on the leash, I got several pairs at Dollarama that are awesome!
• walk in back lanes instead of streets, they tend to have less traffic, better lighting and, more protection from wind gusts
• take a shorter route that doubles back on itself to keep you closer to home just in case you feel overwhelmed by the cold and need to get back inside immediately
• wear a piece of reflective clothing or put reflective tape on the leash so that you are visible to pedestrians and cars 
• wear non slip foot wear, snow and ice are slippery and you definitely don't want to take a tumble on a dark and snowy night
• take your cell phone with you in case of emergency (slip and fall for instance) 

If you happen to have a treadmill in your house or, can afford to purchase one, it is entirely possible to train your dog to walk on it. If you have the space in your home, games of catch and hide and go seek are great ways to get both you and your dog moving. It's super important to keep active and bonded during the cold months where nothing looks better than the couch and a blanket! 

Get yourself prepared well in advance of the dropping temps and falling snow so that you are ready to rock out the winter months! If possible have multiples of everything, mitts, hats, scarves, dog boots & jackets so you can have backups for wash days. With the right attitude and proper gear, you and your pooch will have a great winter, whether it be indoors or out! 

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