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SPRING 2019 27 K9 STORM INC. JUMP PAK: Certain missions call for arrival by parachute. This handy Pak provides a container with predictable aerodynamics so the dog can fly more accurately in freefall mode. SEATBELT: A special leash/harness that hooks up to child-seat anchors so if you stop short, your pooch doesn't fly into the front seat, or worse. DOG FLOATATION DEVICE: Believe it or not, some dogs can't swim. This doggy lifejacket keeps Rover afloat if he takes a misstep off the boat or dock. SPECIALTY ITEMS Three unique K9 Storm Inc. products you may (or may not) want to try at home: The company has 28 human and two four-legged staffers – its Director of Greetings (D.O.G.) Brewser, a nine-year-old Boxer cross, and Junior D.O.G., Jettie, a one-year-old Boxer cross. "(Brewser and Jettie) work hard," Slater laughs. "They make their rounds and soak up all of the attention." Along with canine snuggles, K9 Storm Inc. employees benefit from daily lunches prepared by the company's own chef, a daily fitness program and a compressed work week. Slater is happy to go those extra miles to retain employees. "We're all pulling in the same direction, and there's a lot of camaraderie. The days go by quickly." Slater also makes a point of connecting with K9's clients, many of whom have riveting stories to tell. He invites world-class speakers to come to town to share their experiences through the Storm Through Anything speaker series. "This is the world that we do business in," he says. "It's an honour for us to be able to build it, and that we're able to share it now with our own city, 21 years into it." Slater also gets to share K9 Storm Inc. with his immediate family. His wife Glori, their two sons, Jeff and Riley, and their daughters- in-law — Jeff's wife Meghan and Riley's wife Jessica — all work there. Seeing his professional and personal worlds merged in what he calls such "a vibrant place" is beyond gratifying, he says. "I'm the luckiest guy on the planet, honestly." ■

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