This photo just made our day. Laura Ducharme, host of our series FIDO & WINE, snapped this pic of her gorgeous Lab/Beagle mix Phoenix enjoying some time with Laura’s grandmother (age 90) and grandfather (age 93). A moment of togetherness that we just had to share!

Catch a brand new episode of Fido & Wine online HERE, starting Monday January 21.

In this episode, host Laura Ducharme visits red seal chef Maurizio Barbiere and marketing guru Tyler Philps at Buddy’s Kitchen in Aurora, Ontario to learn about their fresh, natural foods. (That’s the Buddy’s Kitchen fresh food patty pictured above!) Their menu inspires Laura to create a gourmet style lamb and melon salsa dish for Tyler and his pug, Moxie. Here’s a sneak preview:

You can see more Fido & Wine videos HERE.

The wait is over! Fido & Wine is back for a new season! We’ll be premiering new episodes online, right here at www.thepetnetwork.tv, starting this Monday. Here’s the news release with all the details:

TORONTO, January 7, 2013: Fido & Wine, the world’s first cooking show dedicated to sharing ideas and recipes for meals that both people and their pets can enjoy, is returning to The Pet Network for a second season.

New episodes of the half-hour program, hosted by Laura Ducharme, will premiere online at www.thepetnetwork.tv, starting on Monday, January 14. The episodes will make their broadcast television premiere on The Pet Network in the spring of 2013.

Viewers will find full episodes of the show, along with recipes and more, at www.thepetnetwork.tv/fido-wine.

Fido & Wine Producer Jen Mitchell Oddi says this Pet Network original series taps into an area of growing interest among animal lovers.

“More and more Canadians are concerned with finding alternatives to processed pet foods and making sure that their dogs and cats enjoy healthier, more wholesome diets,” says Ms. Mitchell Oddi, who also authors My Dog’s Breakfast, a popular blog devoted to home cooking for canine companions.

“People often assume that preparing homemade meals for a pet is difficult, time-consuming and costly – but it doesn’t have to be,” she says. “Fido & Wine is all about finding inspiration to create simple, enjoyable and affordable meals for the special animals in our lives, using fresh and natural ingredients.”

The highlights of season two will include a “round-up” dinner inspired by a demonstration of duck and sheep herding, and a hearty cold-weather meal for some hard-working sled dogs. Fido & Wine will also take on the issue of pet obesity, with an episode devoted to weight-loss recipes. All this, plus a look at meal ideas for felines, and guest appearances by some of Canada’s leading design and renovation celebrities.

Don Gaudet, Vice President, Programming and Production for Stornoway Communications, which owns and operates The Pet Network, says the return of Fido & Wine reflects the station’s commitment to delivering entertaining and informative stories about the animal companions who share our lives.

“Pets are important members of our families. And as with other family members, we want the very best for them. Fido & Wine speaks to the many Canadians who care passionately about making sure their pets enjoy long, healthy and happy lives.”

The success of Fido & Wine has also sparked a spin-off project from the same production team: an original documentary for The Pet Network, now in development, that will explore the link between nutrition and aggressive behaviour in canines.

Season two of Fido & Wine is produced with the assistance of the Canadian Media Fund.

Do you believe in Dog? In their latest column for On The Go magazine, our Fido & Wine team of Laura Ducharme and Jen Mitchell explore the many fascinating connections between pets and spirituality, from “blessing of the animals” services to pet memorials.

On the Go is available at TTC and GO Train stations in the Greater Toronto Area. CLICK HERE to check out the current issue.

Don’t forget to catch Fido & Wine on The Pet Network every Tuesday and Saturday at 8 pm ET/PT.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW FULL SIZE.

Here’s a little secret that just about every pet owner knows: having animals in our makes us healthier and happier. Fido & Wine‘s Jen Mitchell and Laura Ducharme devote their column in this month’s On The Go magazine to the mental and physical benefits of pet ownership — and suggest ways that people without pets can still soak up some of the benefits of befriending an animal.

On the Go is available at TTC and GO Train stations in the Greater Toronto Area. CLICK HERE to check out the current issue.

Don’t forget to catch the newest episode of Fido & Wine, “Dogtoberfest,” tomorrow (Tuesday April 17) at 8 pm ET/PT. Repeats on Saturday.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW FULL SIZE.

The Pet Network’s Fido & Wine team of Jen Mitchell and Laura Ducharme have published their latest column in On the Go magazine. This month’s article offers welcome advice for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re waging a losing battle against encroaching pet hair.

On the Go is available at TTC and GO Train stations in the Greater Toronto Area. CLICK HERE to check out the current issue.

Oh, and this is probably a good time to remind you about our contest: The Pet Network and Fido & Wine will be giving one lucky viewer the ultimate shedding solution: a FURminator deShedding Tool, courtesy of our friends at SuperFetch Bloor in Toronto. To enter, visit The Pet Network on FACEBOOK. Contest closes Friday March 30, 2012.

A new monthly pets column by Laura Ducharme and Jen Mitchell, host and producer, respectively of The Pet Network original series Fido & Wine, makes it debut in the February issue of On the Go magazine. Congratulations, Laura and Jen! We’ll be reposting their columns here, so check back every month for more great advice and insight on living with and caring for pets.

On the Go is available at TTC and GO Train stations in the Greater Toronto Area. CLICK HERE to check out the current issue.

Check out the video preview, below, for Fido & Wine, our new Pet Network original series.

Your Pet Won’t Be The Only One Licking The Plate!

Fido & Wine is the world’s first cooking series dedicated to sharing ideas and recipes for meals that both people and their pets can enjoy. Join host Laura Ducharme as she searches out inspiration for a fine meal that humans and animals alike will savour, and then returns to her kitchen to demonstrate how to prepare these mouth-watering recipes.

Premieres Tuesday Sept. 27 at 8 pm ET/PT. Stay tuned for more info.