Our weekend at the 2022 Ottawa Pet Expo

Did we mention Isla was a Celebrity Pet?!

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We can't believe that the Ottawa Pet Expo has already come and gone! We want to thank everyone for being so supportive and helpful at our first event.

When we were approached by the wonderful team from the Expo, we were a bit confused. Isla a Celebrity Pet? With a booth? Why would anyone stop by a booth to see our dog? What do we need to bring? Will Isla be able to handle it?

It turns out a lot of people wanted to stop by and meet Isla! At only 8lbs, her big voice and unique colouring drew a lot of attention, which we honestly weren't expecting. The minute that the doors opened to the public, we were so happy that we went. People were able to pet Isla and ask questions about the breed, and Isla was able to meet people and dogs of all ages and sizes!

Not only was it a good opportunity for us to meet local families and friends - we were also able to shop at local stores! There were so many incredible vendors set up at the EY Centre offering samples and pet-friendly stations.

We had to stop by Julius-K9 who makes the best harnesses!

Posing with Phoebe's Pawlace - one of our favourite local vendors!

We also couldn't believe how many cats were at the Expo - we even saw a pig!

We finally got to meet other local Celebrity Pets, including two of the sweetest Jack Russel Terriers, River and Brooke. They shared a cute treat that Isla loved from Bosco and Roxy's.

If you went to the Expo and didn't see us at our booth, we are so sorry that we missed you! As you can imagine, it was a long day for a little pup like Isla. We brought her friend Lulu (also a teeny tiny Havanese) which helped a little, but after a while, we could tell she was done. Regardless of how you feel when you are out with your pup, it is important to check in on them, especially in a large crowd.

We had a feeling that Isla would need a break, so we planned to do a morning and an afternoon shift, which would allow her to go home and have some quiet time. Towards the middle of the second day, we noticed Isla was getting a bit overwhelmed and cranky, so we packed up for the day and brought her home. Although we were disappointment that we missed a lot of people who wanted to see her, we had to put her first.

She was very excited to stop at Tim Hortons on the way home where she had a bite of a Timbit before falling asleep in the back seat.

This event really opened our eyes, and I'm sure many others, to the importance of socializing your pup. Getting them used to strollers, tall people, small dogs, big dogs, people with hats, children - it makes a world of a difference. We are so proud of our baby and can't wait to see everyone next year!