****January 2012 Focus - Focus Magazine

Focus presents: Nirvana Pet Resort
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Leave your pets in capable, caring hands
THIS IS A PROFOUNDLY GENEROUS BOOK, one in which
the author does nothing less than make a gift of her family,
of herself. From that perspective, it is a humbling read.
family violence, but from a very deep sense of gratitude. This is a
profoundly generous book, one in which the author does nothing less
than make a gift of her family, of herself. From that perspective, it is
a humbling read.
In some ways, to tell too much about her life here would be cheating
you from the pleasure of reading about Serota for yourself in these 29
short chapters. So I will say
that it is raw, funny and disarmingly
open as she shares both
beautiful and brutal moments,
all pointing to that theme
of transformation: growing
up in and away from a childhood
of both violence and
love; becoming a wife and
mother; the move to sexual
openness and drugs in a hippie
BC coastal community;
divorce and discovering the
gay scene in Victoria in the
1970s; the issue of definitions—rejoining
the Jewish
community she had
temporarily left or feeling
comfortable calling herself
an artist or a lesbian (“There’s another work of art, at the computer,” she
tells me, beaming and pointing to Annie, her partner now of 38 years).
“I have no time for BS anymore,” the resilient Serota tells me. “There’s
not enough openness in the world; there’s so much pretense all the
time. There’s nothing better than when we can just be ourselves.” The
book also conveys a deep sense of the freedom that comes from so truly
and publicly being yourself for all to see.
“I always feel exposed when I have a show, and I thought I would
feel worse than I do about exposing myself like this in the book,” she
admits. “I thought it would be terrible. But at the launch”—at the Art
Gallery of Greater Victoria—“I felt just so much love coming from
so many people,” she exults, somewhat humbled herself. As the old
saying goes, you get what you give.
As the new year symbolically offers the opportunity for personal transformation,
Serota’s is a beautiful example to follow in terms of deciding
to live reflectively, give generously of oneself and share without shame.
It makes you wonder what a work of art all our lives could be.
www.focusonline.ca • January 2012
Writer, editor and musician Amy Reiswig is reminded
of what unexpected gifts may come into your life and
the lives of those around you when you flatten your
fears by saying “yes.”
Nirvana Pet Resort is a happy place for humans and non-humans.Those
who peek in the large windows of the 4400-square-foot facility on
Government Street, or drop off their dogs for day care, leave with a smile
on their faces.
Whether it’s grooming, obedience training, boarding, or day care, Nirvana Pet
Resort has the caring, experienced staff to guarantee top-notch care for your pet.
Owner Chris Anctil, a certified obedience instructor who has worked in the
veterinary field for over 12 years, opened
Nirvana because of her passion for animals
(her own include a Miniature Poodle, a
Miniature Australian Shepherd and a
Lagotto Romagnolo, a rare and ancient
breed of dog).
Chief groomer Jessica Elrod is another
passionate animal lover—she owns two
Poms, a Sheltie, and a Border Collie,
along with several pet birds.She is comfortable
with any animal, from cats and dogs
to birds, rodents and exotics.
Says Chris, “Our philosophy on
grooming is that it’s not a production
line.We take our time, especially with
babies or nervous animals, so that it’s a
positive experience from the start.”
Among Jessica’s talents are hand stripping
for terrier breeds.This helps maintain
a proper coat. “She’s a perfectionist,”
says Chris, proudly.
Customer Mrs. Maureen Ross has
been taking her 12-year-old Cairn Terrier
Bobby to Nirvana for the past year, and
is “so impressed. I’ve never seen as good
a job,” she says.“They can’t do enough Chris Anctil with Mickey
for you; it’s just delightful.”
Both Chris and Jessica breed and show dogs so they know show cuts if that is
what the client wants, but they do mostly comfortable pet cuts. “We recognize
that people are putting their pet in the hands of someone they don’t really know.
We understand how that feels.We take pride in treating every dog as if it’s our
own,” says Chris.
This applies to the daycare as well, which is roomy enough for the dogs to get
lots of indoor exercise chasing balls or using the slide (an entertaining sight!).
The wooden floor is easier on their joints than concrete. Staff keep the dogs
physically and mentally stimulated and know how to curb territorial or possessive
behaviour before disagreements occur. Small dogs have a fun space of their
own, though each dog is evaluated as to where it will most happily fit, and no
breeds are discriminated against.
“Daycare is one of the best ways to teach puppies how to socialize—and to
build confidence in any dog,” says Chris, pointing out that dogs are pack animals
so isolation doesn’t suit them.
Chris also offers obedience training. She knows what she’s doing and after
eight 45-minute classes, your dog will be a model of good manners.
Nirvana Pet Resort
2000 Government Street (at Discovery)
250-380-7795 • www.NirvanaPetResort.weebly.com
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