Only Paws

Mack here! I need to file a formal complaint: why is it nighttime at 6pm now? I swear I just finished my afternoon nap and suddenly it’s pitch black outside like I’m starring in my own wilderness survival show.

But don’t worry, I’m basically a professional night explorer. With my light-up LED collar and my parents wearing their high-vis cross-body sashes that glow like safety superheroes, we look like a festive parade float marching through Northwestern Ontario.

And since I care deeply about your safety (and also about you being able to see me when I’m doing important business), here’s my official guide to safe walks in the dark.

Light Up Like a Christmas Tree

Our glow gear isn’t just stylish – it keeps us safe.

My LED collar lights up in the dark from all directions, so cars, wildlife, and even those joggers who appear out of nowhere can see me clearly.

My parents’ light-up sashes make them visible from far away, which helps drivers and other walkers spot us long before they’re close.

My mom especially loves that my collar has lots of colour options to choose from so we can match (even though pink does not go with my fur!).

The brighter the better. Safety… but make it runway.

Stick to Familiar Routes

At night, everything looks different.

Bushes? Scarier.
Mailboxes? Suspicious.
My own shadow? A potential intruder.

Sticking to well-known routes helps everyone stay comfortable and reduces the chances of slipping, tripping, or wandering into a snowbank so deep you need a search party.

Keep Me Close (Even if I Think I’m a Wolf)

I know I look like I could survive in the wild. But the truth is… absolutely not.

Nighttime = wildlife wandering, icy patches, and the general mystery of the dark. Staying leashed and close keeps me safe and keeps you from calling my name into the void.

Plus, it ensures I can continue to expertly walk directly in front of you the entire time.

Bring a Flashlight or Headlamp

Your eyes are… well, human.

A headlamp or flashlight helps with:

• Spotting ice
• Navigating uneven trails
• Watching me sniff one very boring spot for an unreasonable amount of time

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Need some gear recommendations? I’ve got you covered (not sponsored but maybe with my newfound fame its in my future?):

My Light-Up LED Collar

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I look like a portable galaxy.”
Link: https://a.co/d/4b3ZRPR

This collar is my pride and joy. It lights up ALL the way around and makes me visible from basically the next time zone. Its charge lasts, it’s bright, and it doesn’t get lost under my curls. Plus, there is a fun disco-mode that makes me feel like I’m at a rave.

Mom & Dad’s High-Vis Light-Up Sashes

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My parents but make them runway-ready crossing guards.”
Link: https://a.co/d/7v22Qt2

Humans, please stop trusting your black winter jackets to keep you seen.
These sashes glow, blink, charge fast, and make you visible from very far away.

Clip-On LED Lights

Perfect for: backpacks, leashes, harness loops
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Small but mighty.”
Link: https://a.co/d/ikML3IU

These aren’t as powerful as a full collar, but they’re great backups. You can clip them anywhere:

• on your leash
• on your coat
• on your dog’s harness
• on a zipper pull

Reflective Leashes & Harnesses

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fashion AND function.”

Link: https://a.co/d/45DTyOt and https://a.co/d/f3DwIkD

These don’t glow on their own, but they shine bright when headlights hit them. Pair reflective gear with LED gear and you become the Beyoncé of night safety.

Also great for:

• fog
• snowy evenings
• pretending you’re part of a secret tactical K9 unit

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Night walks an be magical. Even though I complain (with dignity), night walks aren’t all bad. There’s something peaceful about the city lights, glowing collars, and the quiet crunch of winter. Plus, when I light up the trail with my collar, I feel like I’m guiding Santa’s sleigh.

So grab your glowing sashes, clip on my LED collar, and let’s go be the brightest thing on the trail, literally.

Walk safe, glow strong,

Mack, Official Night Walk Supervisor

Mack here. You’ve probably seen me on walks, nose to the ground, tail wagging, looking like I just discovered the world’s most interesting patch of grass.

Today I want to talk about one of my favourite things – sniffing. I know, I know, it doesn’t sound that exciting. But trust me, for dogs, sniffing is like scrolling through the most fascinating social media feed ever made. Every scent tells a story, and I get to read them all with my nose.

So here is my completely unbiased take on why you should (always) let you dog enjoy the thrill of the sniff.

What I See (Smell) That You Don’t

When humans go for a walk, you look around and see trees, houses, cars, maybe a squirrel or two. When I go for a walk, my nose sees everything else.

Here’s the science:

• Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in our noses while humans have about 6 million (no offense).
• The part of our brain devoted to smell is about 40 times larger than yours, proportionally.
• We can even smell separately through each nostril – giving us a kind of scent-based “3D vision.”

So when I stop to sniff a tree, I’m not being lazy. I’m catching up on neighbourhood news – who’s been here, what they ate, whether they were happy, nervous, or in a hurry.

Sniffing = Enrichment

You might think walking means moving, but for dogs, walking also means sniffing. It’s how we explore, relax, and use our brains.

Research shows that sniff-heavy walks reduce stress, boost confidence, and help us feel calmer and more content. Even just ten minutes of sniffing can tire me out as much as a long run! It’s that mentally stimulating.

Think of it this way:

• Exercise works our bodies.
• Sniffing works our minds.
• Both are essential.

Why It’s Worth Slowing Down

I get it – sometimes you’re on a schedule. But if you can, try letting me choose the pace for a few minutes. When you let me linger, you’re giving me a chance to decompress, learn about the world, and use the amazing nose nature gave me.

A few easy ways to help:

• Use a longer leash (in safe areas) so I can explore a bit.
• Let me pause and sniff instead of pulling me along.
• Mix in some “sniff walks” – walks where the goal isn’t distance, it’s curiosity.
• Watch what I’m drawn to – it tells you what’s interesting (and sometimes who’s been around!).

Why You’ll Love It Too

When you give me time to sniff, you’ll notice a difference:

• I come home calmer.
• I pull less.
• I’m more relaxed and focused.

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Now I bet you’re wondering… what’s in it for you? (Selfish, btw). Well, you get to slow down too. Take a breath, look around, enjoy the moment! Like I always say “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Mack The Dog, 2025). Moral of the story – sniff walks are good for both of us.

So next time we head out, let’s trade speed for sniffing. You might see a sidewalk, but I see a mystery, a lovers’ quarrel, and a field report all in one sniff.

Now if you’ll excuse me, that bush over there smells very suspicious…

Love,

Mack

Mack here. You’ve probably seen me on walks, nose to the ground, tail wagging, looking like I just discovered the world’s most interesting patch of grass.

Today I want to talk about one of my favourite things – sniffing. I know, I know, it doesn’t sound that exciting. But trust me, for dogs, sniffing is like scrolling through the most fascinating social media feed ever made. Every scent tells a story, and I get to read them all with my nose.

So here is my completely unbiased take on why you should (always) let you dog enjoy the thrill of the sniff.

What I See (Smell) That You Don’t

When humans go for a walk, you look around and see trees, houses, cars, maybe a squirrel or two. When I go for a walk, my nose sees everything else.

Here’s the science:

• Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in our noses while humans have about 6 million (no offense).
• The part of our brain devoted to smell is about 40 times larger than yours, proportionally.
• We can even smell separately through each nostril – giving us a kind of scent-based “3D vision.”

So when I stop to sniff a tree, I’m not being lazy. I’m catching up on neighbourhood news – who’s been here, what they ate, whether they were happy, nervous, or in a hurry.

Sniffing = Enrichment

You might think walking means moving, but for dogs, walking also means sniffing. It’s how we explore, relax, and use our brains.

Research shows that sniff-heavy walks reduce stress, boost confidence, and help us feel calmer and more content. Even just ten minutes of sniffing can tire me out as much as a long run! It’s that mentally stimulating.

Think of it this way:

• Exercise works our bodies.
• Sniffing works our minds.
• Both are essential.

Why It’s Worth Slowing Down

I get it – sometimes you’re on a schedule. But if you can, try letting me choose the pace for a few minutes. When you let me linger, you’re giving me a chance to decompress, learn about the world, and use the amazing nose nature gave me.

A few easy ways to help:

• Use a longer leash (in safe areas) so I can explore a bit.
• Let me pause and sniff instead of pulling me along.
• Mix in some “sniff walks” – walks where the goal isn’t distance, it’s curiosity.
• Watch what I’m drawn to – it tells you what’s interesting (and sometimes who’s been around!).

Why You’ll Love It Too

When you give me time to sniff, you’ll notice a difference:

• I come home calmer.
• I pull less.
• I’m more relaxed and focused.

---

Now I bet you’re wondering… what’s in it for you? (Selfish, btw). Well, you get to slow down too. Take a breath, look around, enjoy the moment! Like I always say “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Mack The Dog, 2025). Moral of the story – sniff walks are good for both of us.

So next time we head out, let’s trade speed for sniffing. You might see a sidewalk, but I see a mystery, a lovers’ quarrel, and a field report all in one sniff.

Now if you’ll excuse me, that bush over there smells very suspicious…

Love,

Mack