Wilson

About five months ago my partner and I decided to rescue a sweet little black Labradoodle from a young couple in East York. They'd adopted the puppy but found the rigours of raising said puppy to be too much. They both worked shift work and much of the time the puppy was being crated. They realized it wasn't a good life for a puppy, so they put him up for adoption. We adopted him. We named him Wilson. We're a blended family, two young boys, a moody seventeen year old and two old fogies. Great life for a dog, we thought. Great way to start our new life! We'll give him the family he needs! We are saviours! Hurrah for us!

We've had Wilson six months now. He's about ten months old. I think he might be trying to tell us something. Since we've adopted him he has chewed upon or completely ingested our shoes, socks, dirty underwear, hats, mitts, stuffed animals, my armchair, pillows, blankets, Lego, video game controllers, tv remotes, elastic bands, plants, shower squeegee, soap, books, homework, backpacks, winter coats, lunch bags and so much more. I've seen more colours coming out of his butt than there are in the rainbow. I once wrote a post on Facebook complaining about the time he'd gnawed on one of my John Fluevog booties and my ex mother-in-law commented, what an expensive dog you have. Those were words to live by, I now realize. At the time I laughed. Ha ha!! I'll soon have him trained him, I thought. I've had dogs all my life. I was raised with dogs. I'm part dog myself.

Those were just some of the NON-food items he's eaten in the six months we've had him. I haven't even mentioned the food items. People in the park laugh when I tell them about the things that Wilson has eaten. Oh, he's a Labradoodle, they say. They're crazy for food. Well, surely this is not normal. When we first brought him home, I took him to the vet for a check up. He was fine, just thin, they said. He needed to be fattened up. Well, I'm Hungarian. I believe in fattening up. I happily bought him expensive organic food and started feeding him six!!!!!! cups a day. Three in the morning and three at night. He inhales it so fast, he stands there gulping for air when he's finished because he doesn't breathe while he's sucking it all in. He's a canine vacuum cleaner.

Of course it's not only his food that he's interested in. I take him to our neighbourhood off leash park and let him run. What does he do? Nose to the ground he sniffs out all the poo that people haven't picked up and gobbles it up like candy. Gobble. Gobble. Gobble. I've never seen a dog go after poo like that. Surely he's not still hungry??? No. No, he's not. He is a poo hound. It is disgusting. It must be stopped.

Now he has to do it surreptitiously because he knows I don't like it. Of course that doesn't stop him. To him it's food. Food is good. Wilson likes food. Wilson doesn't understand why mommy doesn't like Wilson eating the food. Wilson is so hungry!!

I soon realize the only way I can stop him eating poo is to stop taking him to the dog park all together. So instead we go for long walks around the neighbourhood. But that doesn't work. Anyone who's had a dog knows that dogs need exercise. They  need to run. After our walks I tried putting him in the backyard for some additional exercise and he discovereds digging! So much fun! In no time he'd dug trenches into the neighbours yards, on either side of us. Then he squeezes himself through and escapes down the street like a lunatic from an asylum, FREEDOM!!!! until some kind, judgemental neighbour catches him and brings him back. It's nothing short of a miracle he hasn't been hit by a car. Naturally we've barricaded him from the yard until we resolve the trenches but then he starts to hump my children. He runs like a maniac in the house. I couldn't bear it. I took him back to the dog park. He was so happy! He danced and wiggled and licked all the dogs and then nose to the ground he found and ate some poo because what's a party without food y'all?

Now I chase him when he's got his nose to the ground. He eats faster. I follow him around like a crazy woman. He walks faster, one eye on me, one eye out for poo. I bring a ball to distract him, but he finds poo mid-chase and stops for a snack. Sometimes I throw the ball AT him while he is chowing down (I usually make contact) and people look at me like I'm the crazy one.  ME!!! My dog is standing there with your dog's poo in his mouth and I'm the nutter??  God.

Well, Wilson is still with us, of course. I've made a commitment to this dog and we now walk this journey together. This, however, is my release. This morning my partner flew to Halifax for his dad's 85th birthday. He woke up at 6:30 to walk Wilson before he left so I could sleep in. Wilson started bugging me at 7:30. In and out of the room. Up the stairs, down the stairs. Lick my arm. Climb up on the bed. Get down Wilson!All I hear is the click click click of his nails on the hardwood floor. Then he stands beside the bed and pants in my ear. I figure, you're fine. You've been out. You're not due for another walk until 9:30. I'm sleeping in, you bastard. At 9:00am I get up and go downstairs. There iss paper torn to shreds all over the floor. Some of it is my partner's seventeen year old son's homework. Sigh. Some of it, on closer inspection, is what's left of the box of chocolates I gave to my brother this past Christmas that he'd forgotten to take with him. A box of Guinness chocolates. Wilson tore open the box, he obviously laughs at shrink wrapping, and ate the entire 16 pieces of dark chocolate filled with Guinness. Then I suppose, in his drunken haze, he decided to rip open John's backpack and tear apart his World Religions homework. Who the hell needs religion, right? 

IS IT THE END, ROB FORD??

Today's post is devoted to the monumental decision ruled this very morning by Ontario Supreme Court Justice Charles T. Hackland finding Toronto mayor Rob Ford GUILTY of conflict of interest and ordered to vacate his seat on city council within the next 2 weeks.

I heard about this as I was driving home, sweaty but victorious, from my morning spin class. Ironically, our spinning teacher had only just wished us all a good week, and then cheekily added that it could be a very good week (nudge, wink), depending on today's ruling. My response was to quip that nothing was going to happen today, except that Rob Ford would be granted another 2 years to try and blunder more significantly.

Boy, was I wrong.

It isn't often that politics surprises us. Municipal politics, even less so. Sure, there was the euphoria of Obama's win, and there is the fact that Hazel McCallion is still an effective mayor, but for the most part politics is about how the majority rules on a decision. Most of the time, this is not a surprise.

Today, however, Ontario Supreme Court Justice Charles T. Hackland stepped outside of the box. The thing of it is is that mayor Rob Ford hasn't done anything strictly illegal, as far as I understand. He is guilty of misjudgment, ignorance and bad ethics - and I think many would vouchsafe that it is because of these qualities that he should not be mayor. But because his transgressions seem so minor, I didn't think he would get more than a slap on the wrist. It is so impressive that Hackland saw beyond the petty transgressions and saw what Ford really is ... a self-entitled boor who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Doesn't Ford realize that as mayor, he should play a leading role in ensuring integrity in government?

Supreme Court Justice Hackland wrote in his ruling today that, "it is difficult to accept an error in judgment defence based essentially on a stubborn sense of entitlement (concerning his football foundation) and a dismissive and confrontational attitude to the integrity commissioner and the (council) code of conduct."

"In my opinion, the respondent's actions were characterized by ignorance of the law and a lack of diligence in securing professional advice, amounting to willful blindness," Hackland also wrote.

And what is even more interesting is that all of this was born through the actions of concerned citizen, Paul Magder. Congratulations, Paul Magder, on your victory. It was Toronto resident Paul Magder who filed an application accusing Ford of breaking the Municpal Conflict of Interest Act when he spoke and took part in a February vote that absolved him of having to pay back funds that he solicited on behalf of his private football foundation using official city letterhead.

Of course Ford repeatedly refused to repay the $3150 in donations. It was in court that Ford testified in September stating that he had never read the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act which is the act under which he is charged.... astonishing.

"Today's decision shows that when you break the rules, there is a price to pay. It is important for the court to assert that nobody is above the law, Rob Ford included."

I could not have said it better myself.

LivingSmallinBigCityToronto presents...

 

LOCAL BOUTIQUE PROFILE
ZILIOTTO

 

Walking along the Danforth is always a fun thing to do. There are wide, strolling-friendly sidewalks, lots of cafes, gelatto shops, wonderful restaurants and grocery stores and of course, clothing shops. The newest addition to this fabulous fare is Ziliotto, a chic little boutique featuring the exclusive designs of Canadian designer, Jennifer Durand.

With three locations in Toronto, one in the heart of the fashionable Queen Street West, one in the hip Bloor West Village and the other on the Danforth, Ziliotto has become synonymous with timeless yet playful womenswear and accessories.

Opened in the spring of 2010 by Jennifer Durand (née Ziliotto), a midtown-Toronto native, the Danforth location has a fan base from the well-established Queen West store and was a natural extension for Durand considering she lives in the neighbourhood. When asked about her expectations for the Danforth location, she confidently replied, “I knew we would do well.”

 

What did surprise her was how welcomed she felt by the community. “We were so well accepted. The people in the neighbourhood are excited by the new developments and are proud of the renaissance that the area is going through. They’re proud of what the Danforth is becoming.”

 

 

 

In her own words, an interview with Jennifer Durand...

1. Where did you grow up?  Have you always been interested in fashion, even as a child?

I grew up in Toronto at Avenue Road and Eglinton and yes, I was always interested in fashion. I subscribed to Vogue magazine at age 11!

2. How did you get started in the business of fashion?

I got started in the business by embellishing t-shirts and selling them in the street.

 

3. How difficult was it to open up your first store; what was the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge opening the first store was of course money!!! We luckily met a lovely bank manager who believed in us (my husband and I) and gave us a loan of a few thousand dollars and we went for it.

 

4. Where did you study fashion?

I never formally studied fashion at school, but I lived in Paris and worked as the assistant to the accessory designer at Chanel. Working there I learned more about design, fit and quality fabrics than I ever would have at school.

5. Did living in Paris influence your design style?

Living in Paris influenced me a lot. I wanted to understand what it was about French women that makes their style so effortless. So basically, I studied them. What I found is that they love to express themselves through the way they look... and they love feeling beautiful; which I think is wonderful! Sometimes, here in Canada, it's looked down upon to want to look pretty. As though we are being too vain and I think that's a shame.

6. How would you define your design philosophy?

 

I would say that I like to create timeless, flattering and easy to wear clothes that are both comfortable and elegant.

7. Which 3 designers do you most admire?
 

Of course I have to say that number one for me is Coco Chanel, particularly for how she created the modern woman's wardrobe and for her business savvy.  Number two would have to be Ralph Lauren, for building an empire and being one of the first "great American" designers. And finally number three is Tara Jarmon. She is originally from Vancouver and she is married to a French man and has had huge success in France. I've watched her career grow and it inspires me.

8. How do you find juggling your time raising a family and being a successful designer/boutique owner?

I sometimes think it's sad that we all have these crazy lives and that we all have to juggle so much all of the time. It's all so demanding for everyone!  I have to admit my husband is really good at telling me to slow down... And it's true, everything will eventually get done, so try to enjoy your time (even if there is Lego all over the place!!!!!!).

 

9. What's the best part of owning a boutique?

The best part of owning a boutique is.... Well there are so many reasons....

The great people I get to meet ....

Designing clothing and watching them come to life ....

Having a creative vision and seeing it fulfilled ....

And also the pleasure of every day getting to know different neighbourhoods so well.

 

10. What's the one vice you will never give up?

I will never give up drinking wine!

Why? See question number 8......

Thanks Jennifer ZiliOtto!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night Jenn Sagar and I hosted our first ever fall fashion event night at ZiliOtto, an east end boutique owned by the fabulous Canadian clothing designer Jennifer Durand. Jennifer was kind enough to offer us her store to invite friends and colleagues to a fall fashion event where we got to sip wine, nibble cheese and shop till we drop!

It was a  wonderful event and even more wonderful to see all of the people who showed up to enjoy an evening out. Thanks everyone for being so supportive and participating in our event. We hope this will be the first of many.

Below are some pictures from the night. Of course I didn't remember to snap pictures until the end of the night, so if I didn't get a shot of you, my apologies!! You all look fabulous!

Lots of thanks to everyone who helped us, of course Jennifer Durand and all of the wonderful staff at ZiliOtto, Kim and Allarice, who were terrific at helping Jenn and I put together our loot bags and put out our wine and cheese spread and help everyone with their clothing choices. Thanks to my sister Michelle for supplying us with Chatelaine magazines and Chatelaine notebooks, they were a terrific additon to our loot bags!

Thanks also to all of the other suppliers who kindly donated their products for our enjoyment. David's Tea, the yoga studio, the make-up, Bosley pens and so much more. They were all wonderful additons to our loot bags!

Jennifer and I will be planning another event for this winter. This will not be a fashion event, but something completely different. Stay tuned!

Soon to come, an interview with Jennifer Durand....

Hello!!

Welcome to the very first post of Living it Small in the Big City!

I am a Toronto realtor (I work with Bosley Real Estate on the Danforth) and I live and work in Riverdale, Toronto. I am also the busy mother of 2 lovely boys (just have to add that) who may, from time to time, appear in these pages.

Living it Small in the Big City is about the experience of living in a big city like Toronto and having the freedom to take advantage of all its amenities;  culture, ethnicities, flavours and even politics. Living in a big city does not have to come with all the big city problems, however. I like to focus on the good things!

For me Toronto is all about its neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods allow us to feel the intimacy and community that small town living usually have a monopoly on. I would argue that Toronto offers its residents the best of both worlds. Big city living and cosy neighbourhood communities.

Having grown up in Toronto and lived most of my life here (some brief stints in Ottawa and Guelph) I notice that since I've made my home in Riverdale and come to know my neighbours, the schools, the shops, the walks and the houses, I often find myself enjoying the same amenities as when I lived in Guelph. I know my neighbours, I rarely have to leave my neighbourhood for anything I vitally need and I can walk where ever I want to go.

This is all a long way of saying that I'd like to use this blog to explore Toronto neighbourhoods: the people, places, shops, houses, schools, etc. Anything and everything that helps us feel more familiar and comfortable with our neighbourhoods.

I will be featuring shops, cafes, restaurants, home decor, politics, market news... anything that might be of interest.

I hope you all like it, and I can't wait to hear what you think!

Andrea

First Post

Coming Soon