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Squaire Dog Grooming

About Sunshade

Sunshade is my first dog, my first Airedale. She is my introduction to this amazing, clownish, one of a kind breed, and the reason I'm hooked on Airedales for life. She is also my inspiration to learn to groom and ultimately, starting the Squaire Dog Grooming business.

I moved out of home when I was 16 and my father got me a 7 week old Airedale puppy to keep me company. That puppy was Sunshade, and we've been inseparable ever since. She saw me through high school, University and finally into the work force. Shortly after welcoming Sunshade into my life, she began to show me in every way that she was so much more than "just a dog". Thus, elevating her status to that of a human child to me.

Sunshade is confident, yet calm. Those personality traits make it possible for her to accompany me everywhere I go. She doesn't get stressed and is never a nuisance. Yes... she attended many of my lecture classes during my years at the University of British Columbia.

In all the years I've been blessed with Sunshade, she has never failed to amaze me at the amount of "work" she's able to accomplish with her determination and high intelligence. With "work", I mean opening cupboards & drawers, un-locking car doors and etc. At 11 years old, Sunshade has continued to make me laugh on a daily basis with the stunts she pulls, and her unique quirks. She is funny, goofy, and full of character with people she considers part of her pack, while aloof and standoff-ish (but never shy) with strangers. She is intuitive and protective of what's rightfully hers, and would give her life protecting ones she loves.

Over the last 11 years, Sunshade has been my best friend, my teacher, my loyal protector, and my sanity check-er. The unsurpassed trust and unmatched understanding we have of each other provide the confidence we need to achieve anything together, even in the face of the unknown. She has it in her to always try her best and do (and perfect) whatever it is that I ask of her. I on the other hand, strive to provide the best quality of life, and make her the happiest Aire-girrrrl in my world.

Sunshade is the light of my life, my heart and soul. One of the many things I have learned from sharing my life with Sunshade is - soul mates can exist cross species. Our bond is a once in a life time bond, and she is my one in a million soul mate. Some people like to call these special little people stuck in dog suits - heart dogs. I just call it - MY Sunshade.

These are just a fraction of what Miss Sunshade is about. If you would like to get more close and pawsonal with Sunshade, please follow her on her blog at:

The Everyday Adventure of Miss Sunshade - The Vancouver SuperDALE.

Sunshade passed away on May 9th, 2014 at 14.5 years old. I miss her with every part of my heart and soul. Life without her has been the hardest, the saddest, and the most painful experience I have ever experienced. There is nothing I wouldn't give to get my beautiful girl back Below is a tribute video I made in remembrance of my special Sunshade girrrrlie.

Sunshade's Gallery

Squaire Dog Grooming