2020 is nearly over and its been a year that I'm sure many of us will be pleased to see the back of. I hope this email reaches you in good health. 

For if nothing else, if we can make it to 2021 in good health then we are indeed doing well.   I shall also take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful Christmas time and heres to a better new year. 

Group Dog walks, Solo walks, Dog boarding, Pet sitting, Day care. 

Fully licensed, Insured, Experienced and Qualified

THANK YOU

As we come out of yet another Lockdown I would like to thank you whole heartedly for your support this year. We absolutely love what we do and we certainly couldn't do it with out the support of you all.   I feel very blessed to have the best customers....

Please note....

The Day Centre will be closed 24th December to 4th Jan (inclusive) 

There will be no walking services over these same dates

and boarding will be very limited.   

The Christmas Box appeal

Animal rehoming centre's have undoubtedly suffered this year so we thought it would be a good idea to have a collection for our local centre ARC.  (Animal Rescue Centre - Ottery st.Mary). We will be delivering the collection on the 12th December so there is still some time to drop anything to us.  This can be dog toys, food (not bakers), blankets etc or even money which we will add to our existing collection raised at the puppy socials. We have been genuinly blown away by the donations already sent in. 

Donations can be sent / dropped to our home, dropped to the day centre or if we walk your dog we can collect anything then.   Thank you.  

Christmas Food no no's

It's tempting to share your Christmas dinner with your pet. You just want to make them feel included in the festive fun ands that’s why you always wrap a toy for them even though you’re aware they don't understand the concept of Christmas. But while giving your pup a bite of some turkey is perfectly okay, there are some festive treats that really aren’t a good idea to dish up for pets. Here's a list of Christmas foods that are definitely not ok to offer them.

  ‘A pet’s diet is essential when it comes to their health and wellbeing,

‘We’d recommend treating your pets to some exciting new Christmas toys or treats instead.’ 

Christmas foods you definitely cannot give to pets:

Mince pies – raisins, currants, and sultanas can be fatal to dogs

Gravy – too fatty and too salty

Stuffing – best avoided due to onions, herbs, and spices

Turkey skin and bones – skin is too fatty and bones can easily splinter, making them a choking hazard

Pigs in blankets – too fatty and salty

Christmas pudding and cake – again, raisins, currants, and sultanas can be fatal Chocolate – can be deadly

Nuts – some nuts are toxic for pets, so it’s best to avoid them all together

Onions – onions are poisonous to dogs

Bread sauce – lactose is difficult for pets to digest

Candy canes – sugar and sweeteners aren’t good for pets

And Remember: Even the foods that are okay for pets to eat shouldn’t be piled on their plates – only small amounts are recommended.

Also please note that the "rawhide gifts" you give to your pet with good intentions can have very serious negative health impacts.

Rawhide chews are made from cattle or horse hides and their journey starts with the hides being soaked in a toxic sodium sulphide to remove the hair and fat. More chemicals are used in order to split the hide into layers which is then washed with hydrogen peroxide to give the white "pure" look and remove the rancid smell. Now comes the pretty festive colours and the glue to form cute shapes.

On testing, these chews have been shown to contain traces of arsenic, mercury, chromium and formaldehyde.

If that wasn't enough to put you off, they can also cause intestinal blockages, poisoning from chemical residue and choking. The chews get very slippery when wet and are almost impossible to grab out of a pets mouth to save a choking dog.

Think carefully when buying Christmas gifts for your pets and always ask yourself if they are safe.

Mud is upon us.....

We do carry portable showers, water and Towels in our vans and try as we might, the wet and mud is inevitable.  Please help us out by leaving a towel out for your dog, A bucket of water and sponge even if you so wish, And even better still, invest in a good quality drying coat.  

Winter Hazards

1. Antifreeze poisoning

The worst of all the winter-time chemical spills is antifreeze, which can leak from a car’s radiator. Ethylene glycol, as it’s officially known, is highly dangerous. It is sweet tasting and palatable and even a relatively small quantity can cause potentially fatal kidney damage. In the early stages, your dog may appear drunk.  If you know or fear your dog has ingested ethylene glycol contact your vet without delay.  The prognosis becomes poorer the longer the delay between ingestion and the beginning of treatment.

2. Houseplants

The poinsettia plant’s brightly coloured leaves contain an irritant sap. The plant is poisonous if eaten in large quantities but it’s unlikely your dog would ingest enough because of the taste and irritation from the sap.  But to be on the safe side, keep poinsettias out of your dog’s reach. Holly and mistletoe plants, along with their berries, are toxic to dogs. Symptoms of illness from ingesting these include intestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, excessive drooling, and abdominal pain. Daffodils and lilies are also toxic to both dogs and cats, especially the bulbs.

3. Ice, snow and grit

If we get a cold snap it’s great fun to get out and about with your dog.  But it’s important to keep a regular check on your their paws as ice and snow can ball up in the space between their toes and there is also the risk of frostbite.  Salt and other chemicals used to grit roads and pavements can also be an irritant to your dog’s pads or ingested if they lick their paws, so we would advise wiping their paws with a cloth and warm water when you get home.

4. Freezing temperatures

Slim dogs with a short hair coat, such as greyhounds and chihuahuas, can feel the cold and you may find that as your dog gets older he starts to feel the cold more.   Dogs are just as sensitive to cold weather as people, and hypothermia is a risk if they’re exposed to extreme temperatures.  Most dogs will be fine without a coat while exercising, but if you are likely to spend long periods outside you should consider buying one. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that some breeds, such as Alaskan malamutes and St Bernards, are well suited to cold environments and are unlikely to need a coat. Indeed they may well be uncomfortable with one on.

5. Lack of exercise

With fewer daylight hours and colder, wetter weather you may find that your dog does not get as much exercise as he does in the summer.  Obesity is a growing problem in dogs and can lead to other illnesses from chronic to acute.  So it’s a good idea to monitor his weight and food intake, as you may need to reduce his food portions to stop him putting on weight over the winter.  We can always help you with extra walks if needed. 

6. Road traffic accidents

If you are walking in low light or darkness consider a fluorescent jacket and collar.  You could also attach a flashing light to your dog’s collar to make him easier to spot.  Road traffic accidents are a big cause of injury and death in dogs during the winter months and we regularly see victims in our emergency clinics and hospitals.  On top of this always ensure your dog is wearing an identification disc and make sure he is microchipped, too.  

Fleas and other guests.  

Give your dog a check over for fleas and other unwanted guests.  Due to the nature of our walks, the dogs are often in the undergrowth and water and can pick up unwanted guests.  

Collars and Tags

All dogs using our services should have a well fitting collar and an id tag with correct and visible information on it.   Please check your dog has this. 

Vaccinations and info

Please make sure your dog is up to date with his vacs and that we have a copy of the certificate.  Additionally please let us know if any of the details have changed since you filled out your dogs forms with us.

Puppy Classes, Workshops and events. 

Our latest puppy class with behaviorist and trainer Donna Green has been a success despite the covid disruptions and having to run the classes over Zoom.  We look forward to having the pups back in for graduation later in December.  A big thanks to the pups and owners for being so understanding.

Our next puppy class enrolment is 12th Jan. limited spaces available. 

Our puppy socials will recommence in the new year. along with any other workshops. 

Unfortunately our planned christmas party has been put on a back burner.  However we will look forward to holding a birthday bash  in the spring instead. Can you believe the day centre will have been open a hole year by then.....

A note from Krista 

(one of our hosts and super photographer)

Has your dog been photographed by Krista Radzina Photography this year or the year before? All photos are still available for viewing! 

not long until Christmas! 

Treat your loved one with a beautiful folio box or a print of your pet. This would make a perfect gift for your family and friends.

No one would blame you if you gift yourself a little something!

If you would like to book a photo session for your pet or yourself there are still few slots available this year. 

Gift cards also available.    and dont forget there is still chance to win a £50 gift card on our FB Page.  Be quick as this closes on Monday 30th Nov. 

To arrange a photo session or a viewing session please email Krista: krista.radzina@gmail.com or phone 07565597038

Finally

-Drop off and collection times for boarding dogs should be adhered to.

- Drop off for day care should be between 8 and 9.30

- Collections for day care are between 12 and 1, and 4.30 and 6 (ideally)

Also just a note to say please be prompt in booking in your  dogs holiday for next year.  A lot of the cancelled bookings from this year have transferred to next year so 2021 is already filling up, we will always try to fit your dogs in but it is increasinly difficult if the requests are last miniute.  

Payment for services should be paid prior to or immediately after the boarding service, and as agreed for walking / day care services

(although cleared by month end) 

by Bank transfer to Mrs J Rowland s.c 07.04.36 acc. 39686944. 

or Cash direct to Jenny.

Please ensure that all requests for any services are sent to Jenny via 07927059167.  text, call, whatsapp, email or FB. 

I will always message to confirm. 

Thank you as always for your continued support, I wish you and yours a wonderfully lovely Christmas and a better 2021.  

Kindest Regards  Jenny and team.  

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