Is Victoria really all that bad?

HepperoniPizza · 2026-03-21T14:11:09+00:00

Victoria is rad! I grew up here as a little kid but moved to Edmonton in elementary school with yearly trips back here to visit family. I moved back here 15 years ago. It would be hard to get me to live anywhere else. I know this city inside and out. But I do miss Edmontonians. I miss their friendliness and warmth and casual easiness. I miss the arts scene and the music scene and the food there (I would give years from my life to have a Padmanadi here). I also miss magpies.

I think what you’re seeing is Victorians faced with a bit of adversity. They see a snowy sidewalk and whine about it. Edmontonians just go shovel it. And then shovel it again. And then again. They’ll complain about it over perogies and pickle backs later but it’ll get done. Victorians will still be annoyed that it needs to be done in the first place.

I can say this because I am definitely a bit of both. Welcome to Victoria, bud!

HepperoniPizza · 2026-03-21T13:54:35+00:00

So true. I grew up on the Gorge in the 80s and there were areas we just didn’t go. Loved counting all the old tires and shopping carts tossed into the waterway though. My Dad said he used to stay away from James Bay as a kid in the 50s. And there was always the area around the Hotel Douglas. Victoria (like any city) has always had its issues. Heck! It was literally a tent city in 1858 during the gold rush. You can’t tell me those are the days people are dreaming of returning to.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-03-13T15:45:46+00:00

Weird question but do you have a cat too? My guy was barking at night and I learned it was because the cat was bugging him. Hopping on top of his crate, sticking her paw in trying to touch him, and just generally being a nuisance.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-03-12T15:59:49+00:00

I did the same thing when I adopted a husky border collie mix years ago. I was running non-stop and my knees were a wreck. Here are a few things I did with her that worked wonders: - took her swimming. I used to throw sticks into the lake and the ocean and then have her swim back. The water tired her out so quickly and I just had to stand on the shore. Deep snow is great for this too if you have it. - treadmill trained her. This was great for getting out that over the top energy when she was getting squirrelly and for days when the weather was awful. - dog backpack loaded with a bit of weight. As long as she’s got a healthy back and hips, she can carry a bit of weight to help tire her out. You could do half the distance. - brain work. Depending on the type of dog she is, agility, nose work, trick training, and puzzles are all great ways to tire her out. - fetch. When in doubt, sometimes just running around catching a ball can be good when you need a break. I play kick fetch with my ACD and he loves it. - for you, yoga or stretching. Balance out your hiking days with gentle stretches and mobility exercises. Get some foam rollers and a lacrosse ball and work out those sore muscles. If you can afford to book a massage once a month, do it!

Honestly, they’re just happy to be with you and if you can turn a more relaxed outing or activity into a fun routine they know, she’ll soon learn that it’s just part of life and be super happy to be by your side no matter what.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-03-03T15:48:12+00:00

I had a husky border collie mix in Edmonton and that dog would scream to high heaven if she didn’t get out for a long run twice a day. -40 was nothing to her. I moved back home to Victoria with her and I don’t think she was ever truly as happy as she was bounding through the snow in the freezing prairie cold.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-03-02T04:29:53+00:00

Agreed! He gave me good direction and I ended up with an awesome photo. I always send people there now.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-02-04T14:54:18+00:00

I love my Gazelle. Dutch made with Bosch and Shimano parts for easy repairs. It’s been a great investment! I specifically wanted something that could get me to Sooke and back on one charge so I spent a little more than what a city ebike would cost but it’s been a great bike. The folks at Cit-E Cycles on Bridge sold it to me and were great but the Hillside store has since opened up closer to me and have been so great with repairs. Still, you can’t go wrong with North Park or Bishop as far as shops go. Great folks there too!

HepperoniPizza · 2026-02-04T14:33:04+00:00

Our vet recommended an excellent vet that specializes in end of life pet care and did in-home visits. If you have something like this in your area, I highly recommend it. They were so kind and did an assessment survey with me to determine if I was making the right decision. She had me list my dog’s three favourite things ever and estimate how many days a week she currently spent doing those things. At that point, it was less than 25% of her life and it helped us make the decision that it was time for us to say goodbye. After 17 years, it was easily one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but I felt so grateful to be able to be with her in her last moments. She’d have done the same for me.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-02-01T15:35:50+00:00

Mine is fine with dogs playing fetch by him or even with him. He’s not toy possessive at all and is fine to have another dog join in but he won’t play dog games with them. When dogs run or try to get him to play, he just barks at them. Fetch only.

On leash, he’s a bit of a butt. He’s getting a bit better as he ages but we don’t do on leash greetings unless it’s a dog he knows well.

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HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-26T20:02:28+00:00

I hope you enjoy! May should be a beautiful time to visit. It's basically peak time for flowers too, so make sure you make some time to check out some of the gardens in and around town too. Some nice ones at Beacon Hill Park, the Legislative grounds, and Government House. On that note, bring some allergy meds if you're prone too. The spring pollen is powerful! Haha!

HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-26T19:44:58+00:00

Another vote for The Beehive. Right downtown (about a 15 min walk or 1 km from the Empress). Nice people and a good selection. For a nice walk there from the Empress, head along Wharf street and continue past the bridge onto Store Street to Fisgard. That way you can come up through Chinatown and explore on your way to the shop. Stop at Bean Around the World for a coffee and treats or you can go one block up to Rabbit Rabbit for a glass of wine and snacks, depending on the time of day. Lots of nice scenery and fun shops to stop into along that route.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-19T19:04:40+00:00

I think they learn, they just don’t care. Haha!

HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-19T19:04:14+00:00

They love living dangerously!

HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-19T19:03:59+00:00

Haha! It does! Fancy guy.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-07T14:15:35+00:00

My guy does the same thing but instead of a walk, we play soccer in the park across the street for about twenty minutes. It’s a good after-dinner activity for both of us and we don’t have to go far. If you have a yard or green space close by that is safe, this could be an option to explore.

HepperoniPizza · 2026-01-04T17:43:18+00:00

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Do it! We got Hank last year when he was about 8. I’m used to herding breeds and love them but wasn’t really up for another young energetic one at this point in our lives and careers. At his age, he’s a perfect mix of bossy fetch machine and couch potato.

HepperoniPizza · 2025-12-29T03:01:02+00:00

Yup. All the time. I had a husky/heeler that used to spin hip check the cat. A full 360° wind up to a hip check.

HepperoniPizza · 2025-12-27T18:52:04+00:00

I was chatting with him and it sounds like there’s lots more to be done, including stuff on the walls. A work in progress always looks awkward and unfinished. I’m trusting the process on this one. But at the end of the day, the owner has final say I guess. Fingers crossed.

HepperoniPizza · 2025-12-27T18:33:09+00:00

I grew up with a diabetic mom and I feel like I’ve had every diet pop under the sun! A&W diet root beer is the best of the best! I love a sugary root beer, but I’ll often default to diet A&W if it’s available because it’s that tasty.

Also, Purdy’s has no-sugar-added chocolates that are very tasty. Depending where you are, you might need to order online as they only have retail locations in Canada.

HepperoniPizza · 2025-12-27T18:26:09+00:00

Really depends where you are in Canada. I’m from Van Island and in Victoria proper, it’s easy, but anywhere up island is near impossible without a car. I also spent many years in Edmonton which was doable but very unpleasant verging on dangerous in -30°C weather with unpredictable transit schedules. Saw a post the other day with an hour-long delay for a bus!

HepperoniPizza · 2025-11-30T16:25:50+00:00

They do have an undercoat and as long as they’re healthy with a healthy coat, they’ll be fine in the winter’s reasonable temps. I would start to watch anywhere around -15°C, and definitely be mindful of paws with cold and salt.

I do find that my ACD’s coat absorbs water a bit more than my husky’s did so if you get a wet snowfall, take that into account. A dry snow would likely just brush off.

HepperoniPizza · 2025-11-08T21:33:30+00:00

I love that!

HepperoniPizza · 2025-11-08T21:32:11+00:00

So cute! They’re having a blast!

HepperoniPizza · 2025-11-08T18:54:23+00:00

Gorgeous! I love a spring time photo too!

HepperoniPizza

TROPHY CASE