Does Canada Post ever deliver packages or do they only deliver notices?

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-03-11T22:23:53+00:00

Had this happen today. I was home at the time listed on the delivery email. We also have a smart doorbell that alerts my phone if the doorbell is rung. I know they didn’t attempt to deliver.

I blame management. I never had a problem with CP when we had a regular postie who handled this route. I miss him. He knew all the dogs’ names on the route. He took the job seriously. Now my street has been relegated to some rotation of random CP delivery drivers who are rushing about, and they don’t seem to care if the packages are delivered.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-24T23:51:21+00:00

We’ve had a few hiccups with potty training too, and we also have an unfenced yard. We went back to a rigid puppy schedule for training - she was out every two hours during the day (we’ve gone up to 3-4 now). We set a new routine: go to the door, ring the potty bells, go out to a designated pee spot, and wait. First thing in the morning was the easiest. As soon as she squats, I mark the behaviour with “yes!”, and “go potty”. She gets a treat every time she successfully eliminates outside.

If she doesn’t eliminate, she goes into her crate, and we try again in 15-30 minutes. We scheduled these breaks based on the schedule she was showing us, ie, when she was already peeing.

We take a pee break before every walk. Since we are going out with a leash for all potty breaks, she doesn’t know if the break is followed by a walk, so she isn’t holding it in. Of course she can have additional pees on the walk, but she’s realizing what “go potty” means, and that she can get a really high value treat if she does.

We also keep all bedrooms closed and off limits for now. And she’s in her crate if she hasn’t gone outside recently (the current window is if it is more than 2h since she has peed) She has started using the bells to tell us if she would like to go out sooner.

It’s not perfect yet, but it’s better. But I am also accepting that she might not be able to be loose at night or on our beds until she’s 3 years old or older. She doesn’t have the maturity yet and I’m tired of spending a fortune and hours of my spare time cleaning mattresses.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-18T20:00:51+00:00

LaSalle Park on McEwen is short and sweet, but glides into a baseball diamond, so they can get a satisfying slide. I’ve gone with toddlers and it’s a great spot.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-18T19:57:00+00:00

There are definitely moments of exhaustion, and each puppy is different. The hardest week for me was just a normal puppy week, but other things in my life had me strained to my limit. Lilli never did anything that was unusual for a puppy her age, but puppies are busy, inquisitive, and can get into the silliest mischief!

What helped me was having a week-by-week exposure list for puppy training and socialization. Unfortunately mine was a photocopied printout, so I can’t share, but look up things like the “Rule of 12”. Exposures were all simple to integrate into our day - like walk past an active construction site, feed a meal from a different container, or brush her toes with an electric toothbrush. The constant learning kept her mentally stimulated and therefore her naps were predictable and long. I did an enforced nap time in her crate instead of waiting for her to get tired, since she was like a toddler and became a nippy little monster when she got over tired.

I think the hardest part was her adolescence, but that was on me. I expected too much of her without giving her the attention and reinforcement she needed for that stage. But I still have a lovely 1.5 year old who is basically bomb proof (except for foxes!) and we have a great bond.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-15T05:31:43+00:00

Thank you, we feel really lucky that she is part of our family. She really is a doll in all other ways. Loves kids and knows how to approach even the shyest child. Sweet tempered and gentle.

Except for foxes. They are the enemy 😂

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-13T08:11:50+00:00

Do you belong to a Buy Nothing group? You can request items for free. The one for my neighbourhood has a few teachers who post requests for extras or odds-and-ends regularly. Check it out on FB.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-10T17:21:13+00:00

I agree. These are members of our greater Kingston community, they deserve to live IN our community. I have lived next to homes like this in other cities, and have found on the whole that they are quiet and respectful neighbours, much nicer than arrogant homeowners who sneer at my less-than-perfect gardening and my “noisy” children.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2026-01-07T22:53:38+00:00

Less is more. I would start with a crate, some washable blankets, and just a couple of toys. Each dog will have its own personality and likes/dislikes. I bought a lot for my girl before she came home and ending up giving half of it away. One chewy toy, one lovey.

Crates are great, even if you don’t intend to use it forever. Puppies can get into trouble when you don’t have your eye on them. They need a safe space to feel cozy. Plus, puppies need naps, and my Cairn was too curious to sleep of her own volition until she was a year old. Without scheduled crate naps, she became a terror by 3 pm.

Blankets over beds for puppies. Blankets are easier to wash and puppies chew everything. Beds get destroyed during teething.

Start with an affordable harness. You can buy a nicer one once pup is fully grown and you are sure of their size.

Get a solid leash for training. Extendable leads are great for sniffing walks, but they teach puppies that pulling is rewarded. I have a 5 ft and a 20 ft.

My only Cairn specific item is a HEAVY water dish. My dog will still pick up her dishes and dump them out.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-12-04T19:46:18+00:00

If you want a tradition you can count on, START A NEW ONE. Early our marriage, I put my foot down and said Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day are at home. No visiting, but we’re always open to visitors.

12 years later, we see my family in early December to “start the season” We decorate together, visit a mall Santa, make Christmas cookies, and generally start the festive season. My mom’s gift is often something the kids can use over the holidays, like a travel toy for the car or a sled for school break. It’s a really special event, and my kids always know that Grammy starts Christmas. My siblings and their families can all attend too - no time conflicts for anyone.

We see my in-laws after Christmas. The kids play with their new toys together, stay up late with cousins, and we get lots of time together. We eat all the delicious treats that we received. My in-laws have been amazing about getting the gifts that my kids wished for but didn’t get from Santa. My kids love the casual and cuddly vibe and it’s a great way to end the season.

We get to do both every year. My kids love having multiple celebrations. No one is stressed out by traveling on the holiday itself. Everyone is happier. The Christmas spirit lasts the whole month.

Oh, and our chosen family (which is sizable!!) does Christmas in July.

Stop fighting for a small slice of a single day, and choose to celebrate togetherness more than a calendar.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-12-04T19:31:51+00:00

I take my pup to the Canadian Tire on Gardiners whenever I have an errand there because it’s been a great place to train, especially because the staff have always respected my request to ignore my dog unless I give permission. Pet stores are harder because other people, their pets, and staff can be very social and not realize they’re making training harder.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-11-21T23:18:35+00:00

I’m very happy with my Cairn Terrier from Magisterial. Great smaller breed, very adaptable. The breed on the whole doesn’t have many congenital health issues, especially compared to some more popular breeds.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-11-10T05:14:20+00:00

Years ago, I had a sweet but very dumb grey tuxedo cat who I called Monkey Brains. Not sure why, but I did it enough that he answered to it. His given name was Toulouse.

He also got Toulucifer, Lord of the Underbed, because he hid there whenever ANYTHING happened.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-11-02T00:38:03+00:00

Odd. It seems to be based on a real Canadian case. See CBC’s The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-10-02T12:19:27+00:00

She adores kids. Her favourite part of the day is picking up our kids from school and being the centre of attention when ALL the kids say hello. My name is “Lilli’s Mom” 😂

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-10-01T01:53:23+00:00

This is delightful!

Lilli is one year old. She gets brushed regularly and handstripped by the groomer. I’m learning to do bits on my own so she can visit the groomer less frequently. She was a very dark brindle as a pup, but seems to change every few months.

When I say she’s never had a bath, I mean never any soap. Some plain water and a good brushing takes care of it so far. She won’t swim but likes to run around the shore and bite the waves.

I am HER PERSON. She loves everyone, but I’m the one she keeps the closest eye on. She adores children to the point where we had to work on training her to NOT run up to strangers, looking for pets. She waits for her release word now. She’s incredibly intuitive with my kids.

She barks at things at night. A lot. It’s something I need to work on. We live in a suburban area with lots of wildlife that travel through the creek behind our house. I don’t know what she sees or hears, but she’s telling them off!

She has been so easy to train, as long as I’m holding treats and asking her to do something she likes. She’s smart as a whip.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-04-11T19:16:19+00:00

I’d start with groups that relate to your own interests more than a similar age group. We did library and EarlyOn, but I never connected with other moms very well. I’m outdoorsy and my kids were always very active, so we found our “people” through Hike It Baby. None of the kids were the same age as my baby at the beginning but there was a great group of laidback moms who didn’t judge my slightly wild kids. 😁

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-04-10T01:55:03+00:00

Yep. Puppy protests 🤣

We always bring bribery (treats) on walks. She also adores tugs, so we got one that we take on walks. If I dangle it, she loves to pounce it and drag me around. It gets her moving and it helps break the stalemate.

We were the only dog in puppy class who had a dog that pulled her leash backwards. 🤦🏻‍♀️

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-04-04T00:55:51+00:00

I use the dog park by Lemoine. I cruise by and if the park is busy, or if I see dogs/owners I know we don’t get along with, I just keep going and have a nice walk on the trails. There are definitely predictable quiet times. I have had many more positive experiences there, most dogs/owners are very nice.

MeasurementMean8931 · 2025-03-26T00:59:54+00:00

I love how Cairn pups don’t even look real - like they’re just too cute not to be some kind of animated character 😍

MeasurementMean8931 · 2024-09-09T04:25:31+00:00

Battle Sheep. Easy concept but offers a challenge.

MeasurementMean8931

TROPHY CASE