Montreal Tattoo Convention!

I love getting out to conventions and spending the weekend with awesome friends. I used to work conventions so it's nice to just head out there now and relax have a drink with everyone, peruse the vendors, get some tattoos done and just have fun!

After the Toronto convention this ones my second favorite to go too. They always have SOOOOO many amazing traditional artists in town for the convention and since it's my favorite style of tattoos I get to walk around like a geek and nerd out on amazing artists doing their thing. And over the years I have been lucky enough to get tattooed by some of my favorite artists at this show.

This year we were just down for the  day and I really just wanted to relax and enjoy seeing and hanging out with some awesome friends that I don't get to see to often.

First off it was so rad to spend the day reliving the good old days with my old boss Damian who runs  www.tattoos.com and the Toronto tattoo convention. Got to see one of my fave photographers from when I used to model Steve Prue. Me and Nate got the chance to shoot with him for his spreads for a few different tattoo magazines covering the convention.

I spent part of my afternoon selling swag for tattoos.com at the New Moon booth which was great cause it meant I got to see the talented Glen and Milena (who is apparently a secret creeper of my blog or so she told me so Hi Milena!) work up close and personal and spent a little time with their ever awesome boss Dan Allaston!

I picked up a few goodies...

Super cute printed tank and some awesome post cards for my pen pals that were printed on wood!

Though we planned on staying in town a bit late and heading to the bar with everyone after the convention the weather was complete garbage that day. With wind that could legit push you down the street so we headed back early like the old folks we are and hit the sack!

Also on a tattoo note, I started my back outline this week with the magical Rob Chambers from The Ink Spot. He is such a talented dude that me and Nate count lucky to call our friend. We got all the basic outlines done but have some blood lines still to put in so once that is all done I will get some pictures of the progress up for you guys!

Help Save These Puppies!

My friend Isabel's Pit Bull fathered 5 pups with her boyfriends mothers Boston Terrier. When they were born they decided to keep one. At 8 weeks two were adopted. People were supposed to take the other two  backed out so her boyfriends mother who has the Boston kept them till a good home was found.

They had a big fenced in yard with a huge dog house. Isabel would often bring her puppy out to play with it's brother and sister that still had not been adopted.

 A few days ago the little female started getting sick. The vet said she had parvo. Most likely from one of the parents carrying it as its a strong living virus.

 Canine parvovirus is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination. It has two distinct presentations, a cardiac and intestinal form. The common signs of the intestinal form are severe vomiting and dysentery. The cardiac form causes respiratory or cardiovascular failure in young puppies. Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization.  Mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases.

 She went to the vet who initially said that her treatment would be over 4000$, She did the best she could to save her but unfortunately it was too late and she passed away. (the female who passed away earlier this week was the one in the center of her 2 brothers who are now fighting the same sickness)

Knowing that her pup was likely to have Parvo Isabel and her bf rushed him to the vet who gave him a better chance because it was detected a little earlier. (their pup at the vet)

This has been a HUGE financial strain on them not to mention they are now attempting to save not only their own pup along with the other unadopted  brother  which they really cannot afford.  But reguardeless they we're not willing to just let him die. (this is Mike the unadopted pup)

 They  had enough for a first run of medication by shots but they are still doing most of it at home as they don't have enough to leave him at the vets to get all the proper care he needs.

They don't know how much help he will need or even if their own pup will be ok with the short stay at the vet they can afford. This virus can be cured. It just needs a lot of help. They really just want to give these 2 dogs a real chance and it's just money that's in the way right now.

 Basically they need a bit of help and the two puppies will grow up to be amazing dogs. Miko, the un adopted dog is so amazingly sweet and if he survives in in search for his forever home. He is about 13 weeks old now. They won't be asking for money to adopt him but they want to make sure it foes to someone they know or a friend of a friend so he can go to a good home.

 They live in the Montreal area but would be willing to drive him out to Ottawa if all goes well with his treatments. So that he could be in a loving home.

Every little bit helps. 

Please donate to save these 2 puppies and help find Miko his forever home.

Donations are being accepted via PayPal and in Canada email money transfers both to the following email address: joe.guimond@gmail.com