gifts & cards furniture & home decor the zoo Gallery

“Flower Shop & Petting Zoo”

How could you come to Sweetpea's and not visit the animals? Quite frankly, you really can't. They are kinda hard to miss.

Our own private zoo of creatures, brings adventure, love and often a broken vase or two to daily shop life.

So many people come and visit Toby, Apple Jack and Anna Banana at the shop.

These lovable friends were all rescues. They brighten our day and always make us laugh. If you have the space and are willing to welcome a new friend into your home, and your heart, we are sure you'll get it back ten-fold. 

To find some furry friends of your own.
Please visit . . . Toronto Animal Services or Danes In Distress

 

The Cast of Characters.

Anna Banana
Our demanding little piglet of a calico. Pizza, cheese, yogurt, you name it, she wants it. Except for veggies. Not a big fan of her greens, that's for sure.

Anna is approximately a year old. According to her records, she has had a litter of kittens, despite being one herself. Her back legs and tail are a little wonky as they were both broken when she arrived at Toronto Animal Services, but they certainly don't stop her from chasing Jack around the store after hours. Anna loves to watch the pigeons and sneaks outside for a closer look whenever she gets the chance. She is definitely the brains of this operations, but quite honestly, once you meet Jack, you'll understand, that isn't a hard role to fill.

Apple Jack
Wow. So, Apple Jack. He's um . . . he's a handful.

Despite being four years old, you would swear this little demon was still a kitten. Jack LOVES paper balls. If you come into the shop and find cumpled receipts all over the floor, we can guarantee you, Jack had something to do with it.

Jack is a snuggler, with outbursts of wrestling and the occasional nibble. He likes to be right in the middle of things and feels that anything you place on the counter is his to sleep on. Clipboards, tissue paper, calulators . . . yes, he sleeps on the calculator.

Jack demands your full attention and, with this handsome fellow, you are happy to give it to him.

Toby
My beloved Tobster. Toby is our third rescued Great Dane. He is about nine years old, with a hard story to tell about his life prior to living with us. Can you believe that no one wanted this sweetheart in their life?

Toby is actually a little small for a Dane, despite being 130lbs. He eats about 6 cups of food a day, and has a sweet tooth. Vanilla ice cream cones and the occasional cupcake are his favourite treats. He is as quiet and lazy as they come.

Toby and I spend our evenings crashed out on the couch together, snuggling like ying and yang. My husband has come home many a time to find me using Toby as a pillow as I share a (very small) loveseat with this blanket hog. He is a great boy. Smart, quiet, and always by my side. He loves being in the shop, and I couldn't imagine being here without him.

 

 

Beth
I knew I was setting myself up for heart break with Beth. After losing Bentley, I had declared myself a "single dog owner". That lasted all of three weeks. A friend told me about a ten-year-old Dane, found abandoned in a park. She was in poor health and needed a home. I said 'no, I'm done. I need a break'. A few days later, I saw a posting through Danes In Distress' Facebook page, with a link to Toronto Animal Services. A single glance at her photo and I had to take her home. A few phone calls later, and I was top of the waiting list for this sweet old girl.

I named her, Beth, after my nickname for Wade, our store manager who had recently moved back to the States.

My hubbie and I picked her up on a Sunday morning and posted a quick pic to Facebook. The response was overwhelming. Everyone was been so excited to meet this sweetie. It started small, but within a few days, we were inundated with phone calls, emails and visits. When we started to hear from people in the States and England, we knew the world wanted a fairy tale ending with Beth miraculously recovered, living happily and walking on her own. I knew that wouldn't happen, and was afraid to let the world in on my sad secret. I didn't want them to lose hope in this wonderful girl.

Beth had a lot of health problems, from inoperable tumours to complete kidney failure. I did what I could to ensure her last days were spent in a wonderful place, with people who cared for her. There was no shortage of love coming her way. Traveling to and from the shop in our garden cart, she made everyone she passed, smile. How anyone could have walked away from this beautiful girl, I don't know.

Knowing my time with her was going to be so short, I had my camera always turned to her, so I could have a small gallery to refer to when she was gone.

Beth was with me for all of nine days. She is the first dog I have had to put down entirely on my own, with no one in the room. It was just the two of us, sitting together, knowing our time together was too short. She smiled and ate liver treats. I rubbed her ears and kissed her head. She went as quickly out of my world as she came into it. I waited until every small twitch and move of her muscles was gone. As long as I could see movement, I wanted her to know I was there. I would not leave her alone. Her last moments would be with someone who loved her by her side.

Beth spent her last few days experiencing love, warmth, caring and patience. She gobbled down meatball subs (with extra cheese), liver treats, was bathed and brushed. She was carried, wheeled in carts and allowed to roam when she chose to. Her last meal was a complete roast chicken in the park under the shade on a sunny afternoon with Toby and I.

I want to send a heartfelt thanks to all of those who followed Beth on Facebook, came in and visited her and restored my faith that there are so many incredible people who really care what happens to these wonderful creatures.

Beth, you were a sweet, sweet girl. I hope you are chasing squirrels and running at a full sprint. I'm so glad to have had some time with you. I'll see you on the other side of the bridge. Giant hugs to my only girl. ♥

 

Bentley
Bentley came to the shop in January 2012. He wasn't with us for long, only a few months, but in that time, he became a Sweetpea's favourite. Bentley LOVED the sunshine, following sunbeams from the back garden, to the front door as the day progressed. He learned very quickly that the customers at the shop were there to rub his ears and be leaned on, and took full advantage of that fact.

His wonky ear was absolutely charming and his smile lit up the whole shop.

On May 23, only four months after I first met him, I was in NYC and got a call from Wade, our shop manager. Bentley had bloated, and there was nothing that could be done to save him. I called his 'real mum', Lindsay, who had raised Bentley from a pup, and only gave him up because she couldn't give him the attention during the day he so badly needed. I had continued to send her photos and videos of Bentley, so she knew he was happy and loved. Without hesitation, Lindsay, rushed to be by his side, along with Wade and Kira from the shop. From what I hear, Bentley's reunion with his mum, was nothing but smiles and tail wagging. Once I knew he was surrounded by the people and community who meant the most to him, I gave the vet the ok, and then wept on a bench in Central Park and waited for a phone call to tell me he was gone. Thalia, one of our florists was with me. She wrapped her arms around me and held me as I shoke and screamed and experienced Bentley's loss from too far away.

Bentley's time with us was short, but impactful. He was a beakon of love and happiness. Even in his passing, he showed me the love and support that surrounds all of us, and the strength of friendship during the hardest of times.

I hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are, Sweetheart. Be a good kid. See you on the other side of the bridge. ♥

 

 

Caleb
In January 2011, we lost Caleb. He was just shy of his 17th birthday. Born so close to Valentine's Day - I always said he was my little love child. He was one in a million. My sister says I won the dog lottery. ♥

He was my constant companion for more than half my life. My shoulder to cry on through high school heart-breaks. My study buddy in university. My ring bearer at our wedding. As an event planner, I would sneak him into hotels and bring him bacon, sausages and eggs from the breakfast buffets. I brought him with me every where I could. Straight through to opening my store. Quiet, welcoming and patient, he was the best shop dog I could hope for. 

I miss him daily. He was my world. Despite all the love he had in his heart - his body simply wore out. If not for his legs, his unconditional love would have kept him going for another 17 years. I carried him for months, I would have kept carrying him forever if I could have. 

I love you puppy. Sleep well, Sweetheart. I'll see you on the other side of the bridge.

 

 

 

top of page