WEATHER ALERT

Columns

Columns

Supplied photo Meet Lilo!

Fall in love with Lilo

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

Hi, I’m Lilo. I’m an energetic, happy girl who loves playing outside, chewing on toys and taking a nap on the couch. Whatever you are doing, I am happy to join.

I am fully house-trained and crate-trained and I will happily go in when I’m asked. My foster family crates me when they are not at home because I am still a curious young girl who might chew things I’m not supposed to. But I am happy to sleep all night on my foster mom’s bed.

I can be a bit loud on-leash when I get excited but I really do love people and get along great with dogs. My foster mom has introduced me to multiple dogs and I have made them my new friends. I am still working on my leash manners with my foster mom, though.

Kids are also fun. I currently live with a very excitable five-year-old but I basically pay her no mind and just do my own thing.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

WEATHER ALERT May. 20, 6 AM: 2°c Sunny May. 20, 12 PM: 12°c Windy

Winnipeg MB

1°C, Clear

Full Forecast

Columns

Adobe Stock photo Fraudsters and telephone scammers are increasingly more sophisticated, so if you’re unsure about sharing personal information on the phone — don’t.

Take your time – or hang up before it’s too late

Better Business Bureau 4 minute read Preview

Take your time – or hang up before it’s too late

Better Business Bureau 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

It’s baffling. That’s how victims describe the experience of falling prey to scammers, along with more serious adjectives, such as “heartbreaking,” “devastating,” and “nightmarish.”

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, they’re picking victims like dandelions in a Manitoba field and no one is immune. They’re tapping into everyday routines and customs to get people’s private information and financial details, draining their bank accounts before they can blink.

Think about the last time you were on the phone with a service provider, whether it was your bank, your electricity company, or your municipal waste and water utility. They may have asked you a few questions to verify your identity. They may have even sent you a text or email and asked you to repeat back a code. This has become more and more common as legitimate companies try to protect themselves and their customers against fraud.

Now, imagine thinking you’re on the phone with your bank and they ask you repeat a code. That code could be the two-factor authentication you’ve set up for access to your bank account and it could be the last thing a scammer needs to get through the protections you’ve set up. Now, all bets are off and they’re funneling your money away faster than you can hang up the phone.

Read
Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

Columns

Free Press file photo The World Cup Trophy tour stopped in Winnipeg last month and will visit several more Canadian cities in May.

World Cup offers unique experiences

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Preview

World Cup offers unique experiences

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

When the FIFA World Cup arrives in Canada next month, the excitement will extend far beyond stadium walls. It is being billed as the biggest sporting event ever held – with Canada hosting alongside Mexico and the United States across 16 host cities, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. Even if you never purchase a ticket to go to a game in person, there will be plenty of free celebrations unfolding across our country.

The tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19, with six matches at Toronto’s BMO Field and seven at Vancouver’s BC Place. Beyond the games, there will be public festivals, cultural showcases, and community events transforming Canadian streets into global gathering places. Bringing together football fans from around the world to our parks, plazas, and waterfronts.

FIFA Fan Festival Toronto will happen in a unique urban setting at Fort York and The Bentway (a new public space underneath the Gardiner Expressway),with live broadcasts of the matches, diverse culinary experiences, musical entertainment, and more. The Fort York National Historic Site is where the Battle of York took place during the War of 1812, and today it remains home to Canada’s largest collection of original buildings from that era. Given its significant historical context, and its preserved existence within the heart of Canada’s largest metropolis, it’s the ideal location to embody Toronto’s theme of ‘The World in a City’.

In Vancouver, the FIFA Fan Festival will take place in Hastings Park at PNE (the Pacific National Exhibition site), one of the largest urban parks in Canada. The newly built, open-air amphitheatre with an increased capacity of 10,000 and massive broadcast screens will be the setting for watch parties, immersive fan events, and performances. The host branding uses nature-inspired colours and patterns representing mountain ranges and ocean waters, highlighting the ruggedness and beauty of the region.

Read
Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

Columns

Adobe Stock photo Trimming the nails and claws of your pets is a necessary habit made easier with the proper tools and training (for the pet, that is).

The ins and outs of trimming your pets’ nails

Jeff McFarlane 5 minute read Preview

The ins and outs of trimming your pets’ nails

Jeff McFarlane 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

One of the most important grooming tasks we need to do with our pets is also one of the simplest, once you get the hang of it.

Yes, we’re talking about nail trimming.

Whether you have a bird, a cat, a dog or any other pet, proper nail trimming is essential to a pet’s well-being. One of the easiest things to overlook, and one of the most painful issues a pet can have, is overgrown nails. They hurt when a pet walks, much like us trying to walk in shoes that are too tight in the toe. Every step can be painful. Nails can even grow to the point at which they can damage the paw pads, especially dew claws, which never get worn down.

And yes, I did mention birds. Many bird cages employ perches that are sand covered, or are made of cement, to help trim birds’ claws naturally. Most of the time these work, but sometimes a bird’s claws will overgrow to the point at which it can be difficult for them to grasp the perch, or they are forced to do it in a way that can cramp or even damage their feet.

Read
Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo Sprout is a seven-month-old who loves to lounge around.

Sophie and Sprout look to spread their love

Winnipeg Pet Rescue 2 minute read Preview

Sophie and Sprout look to spread their love

Winnipeg Pet Rescue 2 minute read Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

Meet Sophie. She is a three-and-a-half-year-old medium cross who is the sweetest girl.

She is extremely loving, eager to please, and picks up on things quickly. She loves to play outside, is housebroken, and is great on the leash. She’s calm in the house and not destructive, preferring to spend her time cuddling with loved ones.

Sophie would do best in a home with owners with previous dog experience and a schedule that allows for adequate time to spend with her. Once she trusts you, you’ll have made a best friend for life. She’s done well meeting dogs when she’s been out and about, but she does get frustrated with them after a bit, so would probably do best as an only pet.

Sophie is currently in foster care, so if you think she could be right for you, please call at 204-832-7387 to arrange a meet-and-greet.

Read
Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

Columns

Free Press file photo The statue of Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, designed by cartoonist Al Capp, in Flin Flon, Man., explains the origin of the name of the mining town on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.

Life in a Northern border town

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Preview

Life in a Northern border town

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

There aren’t many places in Canada where one city can call two provinces home. But you’ll find a couple of them in the centre of the country.

Lloydminster straddles the borders of Alberta and Saskatchewan along the Yellowhead Highway. Founded in 1903 and named after Reverend George Lloyd, the city was divided in 1905 when the large prairie territory was split into two provinces. It reunited again in 1930 to create a single municipality, and today, 32,000 people call Lloydminster home.

Lloydminster sits on a massive geological formation of heavy crude oil, making it a hub for heavy oil innovation, and home to significant oil and asphalt operations. It’s the largest producer of paving asphalt in Western Canada, and is known as the ‘heavy oil capital of Canada’.

The border runs right through the city, cutting across streets and sidewalks. It’s marked with four tall red steel columns, designed to resemble historic survey stakes. Built in 1994, these markers serve as a visual icon and a reminder of this destination’s unique cross-provincial identity.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo Streaky Bell, a lively Bengal cat, was a companion to his owners for 20 years.

Saying farewell to Streaky Bell

Jeff McFarlane 4 minute read Preview

Saying farewell to Streaky Bell

Jeff McFarlane 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026

I have written in the past that the toughest part of having an animal companion is saying goodbye, and it strikes home hard this week.

By the time you read this, we will have said goodbye to our loving little buddy, Streaky Bell. Yes, that was his name, the choice of nine-year-old Mary, who liked Supergirl and was studying the invention of the telephone in school.

Streaky Bell joined our family 20 years ago, a mischievous little Bengal kitten, looking for whatever trouble he could get into. We knew what we were getting into with a Bengal, in fact, we sought it out. And he lived up to the billing.

Bengals are known for the way the ‘wild’ genes affect their behaviour. They are more muscular, have striking markings, and love water. Streaky snuck into the shower or bath whenever he could. Bengals owe their uniqueness to the fact they have a recent injection of Asian leopard cat into the domestic cat line. Each generation removed from that mating increases the F number, with F1 being the first generation; thus, F5 is five breedings away from wild. The higher the F number, the less influence the wild cat makes. Streaky was an F6 from what we were told, so he wasn’t oversized or overly wild, but still had enough to make him different, and he had the striking coat.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026

Columns

Photo by RoseAnna Schick The Twelve Apostles are a famous rock formation situated along the Great Ocean Road in Australia.

Exploring Australia’s Great Ocean Road

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Preview

Exploring Australia’s Great Ocean Road

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026

People who like road trips will love the Great Ocean Road in the southeastern Australian province of Victoria. Known as one of the world’s most stunning drives, it features dazzling scenery of white beaches, coastal cliffs, lush forests, and spectacular natural formations.

Construction on the road began in 1919, when servicemen returned home from the First World War. Carved through rock and hugging the coastline for over 240 kilometres, the Great Ocean Road took more than a decade to complete and was dedicated in honour Australia’s fallen soldiers. Today, it’s considered the world’s largest war memorial.

The Great Ocean Road begins in Torquay, a town southwest of Melbourne. From there it stretches west along the shoreline to Allansford, passing through coastal towns with fascinating attractions and incredible views.

Torquay is famous for surf culture and being the birthplace of some of surfing’s most iconic brands. It delivers the quintessential Australian seaside experience, with an atmosphere that mixes bougie and beach culture, blending laid‑back coastal vibes with world‑class beaches. It’s a great place to learn how to surf, with several schools offering group and private lessons from beginner right on up. While the rest of us quietly sip coffee on the nearest patio and enjoy watching surfers carve up the waves.

Read
Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo Hi there! Meet Jacks.

Jacks would love to brighten your day

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Preview

Jacks would love to brighten your day

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Hi! My name is Jacks and am a very happy boy, 24/7. I even wag my tail while I’m drinking out of my water dish or eating out of my food dish.

My favourite times of the day are breakfast and dinner, as I love food. Although I’m not a high-energy dog, I really enjoy some exercise but like spending most of my day taking long naps, and you will often find me wherever all the humans are hanging out, especially snuggling on the couch. I would consider this one of my top hobbies.

I am fully house-trained and fully crate-trained.

I am good with ­adults and older kids, over age 12. I have a strong prey drive, so it’s best that I am not with small pets or other dogs. A fenced yard would be ideal.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Columns

Adobe Stock photo The guidelines for making changes to your pet’s diet are relatively simple, but it will take a little time to make a complete transition.

Tips for changing your pet’s diet

Jeff McFarlane 3 minute read Preview

Tips for changing your pet’s diet

Jeff McFarlane 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

I get a lot of questions about changing your pets’ diets. Either from one brand to another, or one format to another. The key to diet change is determining if you are going better or worse, and how hard the current diet is on the pet’s digestion.

While the comments I will make pertain to normally healthy dogs, there are always some exceptions. In general, though, following these guidelines works for most pets.

Your pet’s digestive system operates best on an “ancestral” or “species-appropriate” diet. This means that when they are fed something similar to what they would have eaten in the wild, the gut is used to working with that format, and switching between foods in that format should not be an issue.

Pets can acclimate to ultra-processed kibble foods, but digesting those is stressful on the gut, and it’s very easy for the gut to get upset. When moving from one ultra-processed kibble to a different one, it is recommended to blend the two, using 25 per cent new food for a few days, then a 50/50 mix for a few days, switching to 75 per cent new food for a few days, and taking a week or longer to complete the transition. This way, the pet will get used to any difference between the foods, any of which can upset the digestive process if the change is too rapid.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo Say ‘hi’ to Luna.

Luna and Eugene – just lookin’ for love

Winnipeg Pet Rescue 2 minute read Preview

Luna and Eugene – just lookin’ for love

Winnipeg Pet Rescue 2 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Luna is a five-year-old Lab cross who came to the shelter last September with her 11 puppies, and she proved to be an incredibly devoted mom. Sadly, Luna tested positive for heartworm during her initial health exam, which is a life-threatening disease, and the treatment is long, difficult, and painful. Luna went into a loving foster home where she bravely completed months of treatment and, through it all, her gentle spirit never wavered. We are thrilled to announce she is now officially free and clear of heartworm and is ready for her own happy ending. She is sweet as honey and eager to please – a smart girl who adores people and forms a deep bond quickly with those she loves.

Luna will need to be the only animal in the home, and she will thrive with a confident, experienced owner, especially while working on her leash manners. Luna will give you unconditional love and devotion. So, if you think Luna could be right for you, please give us a call at 204-832-7387 to arrange a meet and greet.

☐ ☐ ☐

Meet Eugene. He is a four-year-old domestic short-hair who is looking for his forever home. Eugene is a quiet, gentle boy looking for a calm, happy home where he can feel safe forever. He’s a sweetheart who loves to give little kisses and snuggles, and he can’t wait to meet you (While Eugene loves everyone he meets, his sociability with other animals is unknown at this time.)

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo Meet Banjo!

You’ll love playing with Banjo

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Preview

You’ll love playing with Banjo

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

Hi. I’m Banjo!

I’m a very energetic puppy who loves to play, and I absolutely love tug-of-war. I’m also pretty good at playing by myself.

I am still a baby, so I’m teething at the moment. I am trying to learn to not bite everything and everyone I see. For this reason, I would be better with older children.

I am working on my house-training, and doing very well with pee pads, too. But I am already crate-trained and I sleep through the night.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

Columns

Adobe Stock Toronto’s Massey Hall is considered the premier concert hall in Canada for touring artists.

Canada’s historic music halls

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Preview

Canada’s historic music halls

RoseAnna Schick 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

As a lifelong music lover and longtime Canadian music advocate, going to concerts has always been part of my personal and professional life. Whether attending sold-out stadiums, moody theatres, gathering places or coffeehouse spaces, live performances have always captivated me. Quite often, so does the venue itself – especially when it’s an historic building.

Here are a few of the oldest and most fascinating musical halls in Canada in which you can go to see a show today:

Victoria Hall in Cobourg, Ont., was built between 1856 and 1860. During this period, the town 120 kilometres east of Toronto was being considered as the capital of Upper Canada – an honour ultimately bestowed on Ottawa in 1857. Victoria Hall was designed by Kivas Tully, one of Ontario’s most influential architects of the time. It featured a neoclassical facade with four Corinthian columns, a roofed porch, and intricate details and symbols carved into its sandstone. It housed several civic offices, and the ‘grand concert hall’ with wooden floors and painted ceiling. In 1959 the building was designated a National Historic Site, and after years of renovations and restorations it reopened in 1983 as a performance venue and heritage landmark.

Aeolian Hall in London, Ont., is one of Canada’s most historically rich music venues, and one of the oldest continuously standing buildings that currently hosts concerts. Designed by prominent architect George F. Durand, it was constructed in 1883 and 1884 as the town hall for what was then the independent community of East London. The building would undergo a wide range of uses, including serving as a firehall from 1885 until 1946. When a London philanthropist purchased the Aeolian in 1969, it was again transformed. This time into a performance space intended as a home for chamber and classical music. Today, it is celebrated for its rich acoustics, warm interior, and inviting Victorian character, and is a favourite venue for classical, jazz, and folk musicians.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo This is Frank.

Say hello to Frank and Froot Loop

Winnipeg Pet Rescue 1 minute read Preview

Say hello to Frank and Froot Loop

Winnipeg Pet Rescue 1 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

Supplied photo

This is Frank.

Supplied photo

This is Froot Loop.

Read
Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

Columns

Adobe Stock photo Adding a probiotic to your pets’ diet will help keep them happy and healthy.

Is your pet’s gut happy? How probiotics can help

Jeff McFarlane 3 minute read Preview

Is your pet’s gut happy? How probiotics can help

Jeff McFarlane 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

In my 50 years in the industry, the biggest improvements in pet health that I’ve seen have come from moving from ultra-processed dry pet foods to clean, fresh foods.

We can make other adjustments to our pets’ nutrition that have huge benefits. I’ve discussed Omega 3s and green-lipped mussels, and our clients all rave about those supplements. Another supplement all pets will benefit from are probiotics.

Every living creature needs to digest food. Probiotics ensure that we can get the most out of our foods, and that we aren’t fighting the foods we eat. Having the right gut biome can help prevent bad bugs and yeasts from multiplying. There are even probiotics designed to help with allergies.

Up to 70 per cent of our immune system is in our gut. Making sure we have the right bugs growing in our gut means our bodies can concentrate on keeping us healthy. This is just as important for pets and, in some cases, even more important.

Read
Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2026

Columns

Supplied photo Say hello to Groopert.

Lovable Groopert would like to meet you

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Preview

Lovable Groopert would like to meet you

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

Hi, I’m Groopert!

I’m an easygoing boy who loves chewing bones and going for walks – especially in the snow.

I am fully house-trained and I am very good at letting my foster mom know when I need to go outside. I am crate-trained and I go in the crate when my foster mom is not home, but I don’t quite love it in there yet. I will complain when I first go in, but then settle into a nap after a few minutes.

I am good with other dogs. In fact, I quite like seeing other dogs on walks and meeting them for playdates. But my foster mom doesn’t know how I will be with cats. She says that I don’t seem to have a high prey drive, but I am a pretty curious puppy, and I might annoy some cats.

Read
Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

LOAD MORE COLUMNS ARTICLES