Collette is a Warrant Officer in supply with the High Priority Request Cell and is preparing to retire from the military in July 2022 to transition into public service. Nick retired from the regular force about three years ago and now works in Air Traffic Control with 1 Cad in Winnipeg, but he is able to work remotely from their home in Victoria.

Their home, a lovely 2600 square foot house on the side of a hill, sits just across from a green space exercise park. Earlier this year, the couple decided it was time to welcome new furry family members.

They had previously shared their home with two senior cats, Sydney and Lola. Sadly, Sydney passed away at the age of 15 in January. Collette has always been a cat person, but she also knew how much Nick loved dogs. With Nick now working from home, it felt like the perfect time to bring a puppy into their lives.

In January, a beautiful goldendoodle puppy was born in Duncan, BC. By March, Collette and Nick were bringing home this copper-colored little teddy bear. At six months old, Salo already weighed 37 pounds and is expected to grow to around 60.

The family spent a lot of time choosing the perfect name. Big hockey fans, their household is divided between two rival teams, the Oilers and the Canucks, and both have players named Salo. When Collette discovered that Salo also means wooded island, the name could not have been more fitting for their new life on Vancouver Island.

Salo quickly settled in, but there was one small challenge. Their senior cat, Lola, was not thrilled about the new addition. Since Lola originally belonged to their daughter Madison, she eventually went to live with her. That left Salo without a playmate, so Nick and Collette decided to find him a feline companion to grow up with.

Collette has allergies to short haired cats, which made the search for a long haired kitten tricky. Long haired rescue kittens are rare on Vancouver Island, and the waiting lists are long. Wanting to make sure Salo had a buddy during his first year, they decided to adopt a purebred ragdoll kitten from a breeder in Vancouver. The kitten, white with soft grey markings and striking blue eyes, is affectionately called KitKat, at least for now.

Salo and KitKat have become the best of friends. They love chasing tennis balls together, and KitKat’s playful, dog like personality keeps everyone entertained. Nick enjoys having their company while he works from home, and Collette says the pets bring warmth and laughter to their household.

There are no grandchildren in the family yet, Collette shared with a smile, so these two get a lot of attention.

When asked how their lives have changed since getting the new pets, Nick laughed and said, “Yes, cats were easy, dogs you have to plan ahead.”

Collette added, “Pets add a new dimension to our lives that is really joyful.”

For Collette and Nick, the wellbeing and happiness of their pets have become an important part of their home life, creating a calm, enriching, and love filled environment.