BEST OF KING WEST FOR THE PET SET

There is a thriving pet community in the heart of downtown Toronto living the King Blue lifestyle.

Lindsay Shostal runs a dog walking and boarding business called The Hydrant near King Blue Condos at King and Spadina. She launched The Hydrant in 2009 after struggling to find a reliable dog walker in the city for her Doberman puppy, Logan. Now he is her constant companion as she walks up to nine dogs a day and looks after some in her home.

Looking to share your new home at King Blue with man’s best friend? Lindsay has some advice for dog owners.  If you are searching for a dog walker in the city, she recommends you request a ‘meet and greet’ and ask who will be coming into your home to pick up the dog. Some services employ numerous walkers. Ask how many dogs they walk at a time because she said some dogs don’t do well in large groups. It should be about what is comfortable for your dog.  Do they provide a journal or text message updates? Lindsay said it is important to have that constant interaction with the person taking care of your pet. Lindsay is creative in her use of texting and Twitter posting photos and short videos for her clients.

Photo Courtesy of The Hydrant

City parks near King Blue are not off-leash and by-laws officers check to make sure owners abide by the law. Clarence Square Park on Spadina Avenue just north of Front Street has a small fenced in area approved by The City of Toronto as an off-leash site.

Front Street Animal Hospital is located a short distance from King Blue at 548 Front Street West between Bathurst and Spadina. It offers pet dentistry, surgery, vaccinations, nutrition, micro-chipping and grooming.  Lindsay said the staff is open-minded to a variety of diets including raw and is able to keep Logan calm and comfortable during his visits.

Photo courtesy of The Hydrant

Bring your dog or cat in for a spring grooming session at Cosmopawlitan Pet Boutique and Spa, 478 Queens Quay Blvd. West at Spadina. The facility offers pet daycare, overnight boarding, and holistic nutrition. The Hydrant’s handmade dog collars are part of the fashionable pet apparel available at Cosmopawlitan.

A popular downtown pet destination is PawsWay. This 3,500 square foot indoor pet park is located at 245 Queens Quay West at the Harbourfront Centre.  Stroll through the Purina Animal Hall of Fame where brave pet heroes are honoured then stop for coffee with your dog at Williams Fresh Café.

The mission of PawsWay is to promote pet health and encourage responsible pet ownership.  It hosts special events such as puppy kindergarten and pet first aid certification courses. There are regular dog meet-ups at PawsWay too such as the Toronto Doberman Pinscher Meetup Group.

Looking after dogs downtown near King Blue has become Lindsay’s life. You can find more helpful advice on The Hydrant blog.

 For a taste of the total-lifestyle experience taking shape at King Blue, visit our presentation centre at 355 King Street West, or join the King West conversation on Facebook and Twitter @kingbluecondos.