Retail Strategy + Free Youth Football

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - Mainly Sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - Rain is just confetti from the sky.. 🎊 

 🔦 Business Spotlight - Take Your Sniffs Dog Walking

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Tanveer T.!

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to choose from

 🗞️ New West Local News - Retail Strategy + Free Youth Football

 😆 Meme of the Day

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When Celene Collison started her dog walking business, Take Your Sniffs Dog Walking, it wasn’t just about getting dogs from A to B. It was about creating meaningful relationships with the dogs, their humans, and the New Westminster community she now calls home.

Each walk is a “sniffari,” as Celene playfully calls them. But don’t be fooled by the whimsical name—these outings are carefully designed with each dog’s emotional and physical needs in mind. “We slow it down, we give choice and direction, we play games, we do enrichment busy boxes,” she explains. “It’s not just walking. It’s mindful engagement.”

The inspiration behind her business? A towering Irish wolfhound named Phoebe. As Celene’s first family dog, Phoebe brought along big love—and big challenges. Working through Phoebe’s reactivity taught Celene the value of patient, intentional training. “I felt like I came out of that as half a dog trainer,” she laughs. That experience—and her deep love for animals—sparked a second career that draws on her background in marketing and her lifelong passion for dogs.

What sets Take Your Sniffs Dog Walking apart is Celene’s low-volume, high-engagement approach. “I max out at five walks a day. I want quality, not quantity,” she says. And clients can feel that difference. She knows her dogs by name, by quirk, by need. Whether it’s a 30-minute mid-day check-in or a full hour sniffari with enrichment play and calming techniques, every visit is personalized.

This approach is especially helpful for dogs dealing with anxiety, behavioral challenges, or high energy levels. “One thing people often don’t realize is how hard it can be for dogs to stay home alone all day,” she says. “They’re social creatures. A trusted, fun-enriched dog walker can be a win-win for both the dog and the owner.”

Celene lights up when talking about the dogs she works with. “The most rewarding part is the relationship. I’ve had dogs go from growling to kissing my face. That’s everything to me.” These transformations don’t just help the dogs—they reassure owners that positive change is possible. “I like helping people as much as I like helping their dogs.”

Though her business is young, officially launched in August 2024, Celene has big dreams. She’s considering expanding into behaviorist training or even franchising one day. But for now, she’s happy to keep things intimate. “I kind of enjoy being the itty bitty, super fun, special dog walking business. It lets me stay connected to my community.”

And the community connection is strong. Celene works with a diverse mix of clients in New West and is considering ways to give back, especially through organizations like ElderDog that help seniors care for their pets.

If you’re curious about Take Your Sniffs Dog Walking, you’re not alone. The dogs sure are. “They know when I’m coming,” she says, smiling. “They can smell time.” And once you meet Celene, you’ll see why her business is sniffing out success—one happy pup at a time.

🐾 Celene has also written a book, check it out! www.phoebebearifyoudare.com or find Celene on Instagram. You can also just give her a call—she’s happy to chat, especially if it’s about dogs.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (604)727-7562

Already know, like, and trust this business? Be sure to support Take Your Sniffs Dog Walking and leave them a Facebook Review

🍁 Shop Local 🍁 

June 10, 2025

🗣️ English Conversation Circles All Levels – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

✏️ Sketch For Fun (50+ years) – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

💃 New West Moms Bellydance & Stretch – 11:30 AM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

📚️ BYO Book Club – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📝 Work BC Employment Services Drop-In (Queensborough) – 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎶 New West Community Choir – 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Trivia Tuesdays at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:00 PM

🎸 Georgie's Local Tuesday Night Jam Session – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Vancouver Vs Valley Roast Battle - Benefit Show – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

June 11, 2025

🤸 Gym Program – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

⛑️ Crisis Response Team Outreach Worker Drop-ins at the Library – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

🎙️ State of the City on the Road: Youth Edition – 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

🎞️ Climate Film Night: Juice – 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Georgie's Local  – 7:00 PM

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Charity Drag Bingo with Justin Abit – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

🗣️ French 4 Everyone – 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🏆️ The Fraser River Hall of Fame – at Aria Convention Center

June 12, 2025

🗣️ English Conversation Circles for All Levels – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New Westminster Area – 1:00 PM

🖼️ Archives Open House – 2:00 to 4:00 PM & 6:00 to 8:00 PM

🏓 Intro to Pickleball Drop-in – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🍅 Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🚶 Walk with the Mayor – 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

📝 SFU Writer's Studio Writing Consult – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Night at Georgie's – 7:00 PM

🎵 June Revue Music and Awards – 7:00 PM at Massey Theatre

🎙️ Colossal Thursdays Karaoke at The Terminal Pub – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎭️ Comedy Exposed – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎥 Moonlight Movies Series: School of Rock – 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🏙️ Shape the Shops of Tomorrow: Join New Westminster’s Retail Strategy Workshop

Local businesses, residents, and community partners are invited to play a hands-on role in shaping New Westminster’s retail future at a special event on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. As part of the ongoing rollout of the City’s 2023 Retail Strategy, this engaging workshop will explore how zoning, design, and public spaces can work together to build more vibrant, people-friendly commercial areas.

Hosted at the Anvil Centre from 6:00 to 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:45), the Retail Strategy Implementation Workshop is designed as both a learning opportunity and a conversation. Participants will join City staff, business owners, and fellow community members to exchange ideas, discuss potential changes, and brainstorm ways to create welcoming, walkable streetscapes that support thriving local businesses.

The City is particularly interested in hearing feedback on:

• Zoning tweaks to better support street-level businesses and active public spaces

• Beautification and activation tactics to draw visitors and improve the shopping experience

• Building design considerations that make it easier for small businesses to operate and grow

Following the workshop, attendees are encouraged to stay for a casual networking session until 9:00 PM. It’s a great chance to meet fellow local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders over complimentary snacks and refreshments.

All feedback collected during the evening will help inform policy recommendations coming to Council later this year.

Want to attend?
Register by Friday, June 13 by sending your name and (if applicable) your business or organization via email. If you have any accessibility needs—such as translation services, sign language interpretation, or dietary considerations—just let the team know when you sign up.

Email [email protected] to Reserve Your Spot Today

 📣Royal City Hyacks Host Free Youth Sports Events This June

The Royal City Hyacks are throwing open the stadium gates this June with a special invitation for young athletes across New Westminster: come try football or cheerleading—for free.

As part of their annual “Try It Days,” the Hyacks are offering three evenings of high-energy, no-pressure fun at Mercer Stadium, designed to introduce kids to the fundamentals of flag football, tackle football skills, and community cheer. Open to boys and girls aged 5 to 15, the sessions require no previous experience and aim to provide a safe, welcoming environment for youth to get active and connect with their community.

Each evening is tailored to different age groups and skill levels:

• Monday, June 23 | 6:00–7:30 PM – Kids aged 5–9 will take part in flag football games and cheerleading activities.

• Tuesday, June 24 | 6:00–7:30 PM – Youth aged 10–15 can join a non-contact tackle football skills clinic and cheer session.

• Thursday, June 26 | 6:00–7:30 PM – A full community night for kids aged 5–15, combining football and cheer for all.

The Hyacks emphasize inclusion and fun, with sessions focused on movement, teamwork, and trying something new—without the pressure of competition. There’s no tackling during these events, just lots of running, flagging, cheering, and high spirits.

These free events are a great opportunity for kids to explore team sports, build confidence, and make new friends. With spots limited and registration handled on a first-come, first-served basis, families are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

🔗 Register Now – Limited Spots Available!

🖥️ Sign up here
⏳ First come, first served — don’t wait!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️Rain is just confetti from the sky.. 🎊

..celebrating the good times! 🥂 

Meme of the Day

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