I have always imagined a “fireside chat” as the place where two people enjoy conversation and libations in front of a roaring fireplace in an English country house. or a remote Canadian cabin. I have enjoyed both over the years, where the conversation included politics of all sorts and stripes, religion, photography, biography, literature, music.... Continue Reading →
With thousands of Summerlanders we are now cleared to return home. We are excited to finally return. Our almost 7-year-old Labradoodle, Juno, shares our joy. We know our home escaped damage; likely the worst evidence of the Bald Range Wildfire will, for us, be smoke and ash. A local pet owner posted just yesterday a... Continue Reading →
From Paws n Tails Photography, Summerland BC I’ve been thinking a lot about what I wanted to do with my photography after everything that has happened here. I had planned an August opening special to introduce Paws N Tails Photography to Summerland. But after the fire, that just didn’t feel right anymore. We are so... Continue Reading →
Prompted by a fierce attachment to his own pet, Paul Yoon wrote a harrowing yet hopeful novel, set during wartime, told from a canine perspective. By Pamela Newton, in the New York Times, Aug. 2, 2026 For visuals by Erik Tanner visit the link with the full article above. Oscar, a sweet, lumbering 70-pound lab... Continue Reading →
by Max Planck Society, edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan A new study by an international research team led by Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig) has revealed striking similarities in the way humans and dogs interact in very different societies. The research is published in... Continue Reading →
Truth be told, Christina is more Kathie’s friend than mine, though for the purposes of this blog I will claim her nonetheless. We first met at the Peach Orchard Dog Park. (Where else?) At the time she and husband Doug owned one border collie, Nik. Eventually they rounded out their flock adding Sky (called Sky... Continue Reading →
With thanks to The Conversation.com // Published: May 7, 2026 Dogs display many traits of great leaders − here are 5 breeds that can be your leadership role models I have been a dog lover ever since I was a kid and have spent years learning about the temperaments and histories of different dog breeds, as... Continue Reading →
Heartography: Nikon once turned a dog into a photographer using a compact camera and a heart rate monitor (Image credit: Nikon Thailand / YouTube) By Hillary K. Grigonis published February 11, 2026 DigitalCameraWorld As a former Nikon shooter, Juno's PaPaw endorses this article with both interest and appreciation. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITH YOUR LATEST... Continue Reading →
Juno, 2022, Kamloops BC Six year old Labradoodle, Juno, lives with her humans in Summerland in the BC Okanagan. This year they have had almost no winter at all. She is not impressed. See below. I am disappointed, downhearted, and furious that winter has skipped us this year in the South Okanagan. There was only... Continue Reading →
Internationally known dog-blogger, Juno, a six year-old Labradoodle, lives with her humans in Summerland in the BC interior. Meet Sesame (pictured above), a cherished former member of the Gray family household who left them years before my arrival. I am told that in those days, one returned home to two dogs and two cats, a... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 