christina

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31 Dec 2024

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You’ve got a friend in me

We met Duke the Labradoodle for the first time in September 2021 when he was still a very lively mischevious puppy. Into everything and stealing any food, phones, clothes, shoes or anything else he could find. Suffice to say that he could be quite a handful, so when his owner told us she was thinking of getting another Labradoodle as a companion for Duke we were a little hesitant at first. However, the owner quickly persuaded us it was a good idea.

The very next time we went to Wales in summer 2022 to dog sit, we found the new puppy in residence, lovely red Ruby who was just eight months old at the time. Having been introduced properly Duke and Ruby got on very well from the very first day, Duke being very gentle at first with the very small puppy, and then rushing around the house chasing each other and jumping on and off the furniture, which is allowed where they live – lucky dogs. Of course walking and playing in the fields is fantastic for both dogs as they can chase each other till they are tired out and then sleep together when they return home. Ruby although a lot smaller than Duke and still a pup, rules the roost and if Duke gets too boisterous she nips his ankles and steals his bones! He tolerates all of this with great humour, tolerance and forbearance enjoying having someone to play alongside daily.

So as they say in Toy Story when the road looks rough ahead, you’ve got a friend. It turns out the owner was right of course and getting Duke a friend was and is indeed the best thing she could have done. It has improved Duke and the owners life immeasurably to have little Ruby join the family, she has indeed made it a warm and welcoming home, she’s always ready to cuddle and to play any time of day or night.

We enjoy looking after these two boisterous dogs and usually take them out walking once or twice a day which keeps us fit and them exercised. They love to swim in the rivers, play on the beach and walk on the cliff sides in Wales. Recently Duke spotted an Adder which luckily enough didn’t bite him as he jumped away quickly, he immediately turned round to see if Ruby was safe, which she was. So he is protective of her as well as enjoying her friendship and play. Two dogs can indeed be easier to look after than one, especially if mischevious and in need of stimulation.

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3 Oct 2024

Labrador heaven for Ella

We’ve looked after lots and lots of Labradors but none so sweet, loving and eager to please as the lovely Ella.

She’d start each and every day, after her breakfast, of course, by lying flat out tummy upwards to the sun, rolling around, eagerly lapping up the suns rays. Then quietly wait by our sides for a walk, just longingly looking into our eyes from time to time lest we forgot she’s there! Eager to walk she might pull on her lead, just a little, at the beginning of the walk but once there, she’s off the lead running freely, finding somewhere to sniff and to submerge her body in the canal, then she’s the happiest dog alive. A forest walk is her delight sniffing the flowers, scents and herbs along the way and looking far and wide at the scenery. Well behaved and quiet she’s welcomed by everyone we met, whether it’s at a winery, cafe, restaurant or in the little shops, she travels well in the back of the car and loves, like most dogs, to be included in everything we did.

Ella loves to play ball and will seek out old manky balls wherever we went as well as search long and hard for balls in the garden when hidden for her. She missed her natural vocation as a lifeguard because every single time I went swimming in the basin she stood by watching carefully that I didn’t drown, never straying from my side the entire time I was in the pool.

Ella is a throughly delightful Labrador and we throughly enjoyed looking after her in the French Alpilles.

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15 Aug 2022

What’s it all about Alfie?

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Is it just for the moment you live?

Is it all about a ball, when we throw it, Alfie?

or is it all about a long walk to get a moment to live?

or a car drive with the wind blowing through your fur?

As sure as there’s a heaven above Alfie,

I know that dogs sure have a heaven on earth Alfie,

Full of runs in the forests and walks by the stream,

Chasing the balls of life and living life’s sweet dream,

Curling up after a yummy bowl of food,

Having your tummy tickled to keep you in the mood,

Barking at the birds because they’re absurd,

Sniffing all the flowers, bushes and the earth,

And you’ve found love Alfie,

And as sure as a dogs heaven is here on earth,

I hope Alfie that you’ll always have balls to chase,

As you’ve found love every day Alfie,

A little poem dedicated to Alfie the cockerpoo who certainly knows how to live every day to the full. Running around the forests, chasing balls in the garden and generally having as much fun as possible every single day. I think dogs like Alfie are here to remind us to stop, breathe, rest a moment, survey the flowers and the fields and make the most of every moment we have here on earth.

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8 Jun 2021

Sospel May 2021

Sospel is a stunning area of Southern France, where we looked after three young dogs and three cats, we enjoyed the surrounding scenery enormously. The house and pet owner Lorraine had rescued the three cuddly dogs. The two puppies were actually found in a rubbish bin in Sicily, which is so sad and the Alsatian was rescued in a field nearby a few months before we sat. There were also three beautiful affectionate cats. In May 2021 the two boisterous rescue dogs, Fletch and Teddy were only eight-month-old puppies, and due to Covid they had not as yet been socialised so if they saw other dogs they got very excited and pulled on the leads quite a lot. The Alsatian, Meadow is a beautiful and strong rescue dog who likes to be scratched and brushed daily. The three cats were easy to care for and liked a cuddle and of course, brushing each day.  All three dogs were stong and with the long hilly walks nearby we were kept very fit, and as we could not leave the dogs for more than a few hours we stayed on the property playing with the animals, but we did get to see a bit of the surrounding countryside which was fun.

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17 Sep 2020

Happy Hamish – Sept 2020

Little Hamish is a very happy cockerpoo full of bouncy energy and he needs a couple of walks a day. He loves to bark at the horses in the field at the end of the garden and runs around the garden playing by himself happily. In the evenings he likes nothing more than to sleep with his soft curly head on your knee on the setee on his blanket whilst watching TV. He’s very affectionate and loving to humans and most other dogs, although there are some exceptions. A well-behaved fellow we took him to National Trust properties, to the pub with friends, to Cambridge and lots of villages nearby, everywhere we went he made friends easily. We enjoyed looking after him thoroughly and he cheered up our days. In a difficult year with restrictions, it was fun to get back to our regular dog sitting once again.

More pictures of Hamish

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1 Sep 2020

Morrissey & Blu – Sept 2020

Morrissey and Blu are an interesting pair of blu coloured pets their colouring almost matches exactly. Morrissey is a British shorthair blue cat, about seven years old who’s used to having his own way and Blu is a French bulldog puppy of around ten months old. Blu likes nothing better than to box with Morrissey in the mornings in the garden and although Morrissey appears not to enjoy this activity he always comes back for more! They both love to sit in the lounge and look out of the windows or occasionally to sit on your knee although neither of them is particularly keen on being lap animals, both being far too independent for that! Blu loves his daily walks in the nearby fields and meeting other dogs to run and play chase with, but if it’s raining or he gets tired beware as he’ll just sit down and refuse to move an inch! Blu also enjoys meeting other animals and is quite inquisitive, we went past some horses and he insisted on saying hello! Morrissey loves to pat your hand when you’re on the computer or look over your shoulder in disgust at what is on the screen! Being a cat Morrissey is also keen to become liquid and fit into a little box if you happen to leave one about! They both love their food and Blu will happily woof down anything Morrissey cares not to eat or drink! These two pets are great fun and a pleasure to look after, their home is very comfortable and it’s a lovely area to visit too, we’d have no hesitation to look after them once again. Thanks Victoria and Darren.

More pictures of Morrissey & Blu

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4 Jan 2020

Boxing Day in Tunbridge Wells with Dougie

Little cockerpoo Dougie is just one year old and very much still a puppy. He needs cuddles, affection, play, toys and to run run run! He’d like constant attention and doesn’t need to rest much at all. If he gets two walks a day as well as visits to shops, pubs, nursing homes and rides in the car he’s a happy chappy. Luckily as we work from home we can provide the care little Dougie desires. His owners too work from home a great deal and he has a little human brother to keep him occupied. We love this little dog and are happy to visit care for him and housesit any time we’re asked.

More pictures of Dougie

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4 Jan 2020

The Three Musketeers – the inseparables Harley, Lola and Max

Harlequin, Lola and Max are inseparable just like the three musketeers. Harley a rescue came first, a beautiful white cat with pale blue eyes, then Lola the Rotweiller followed and lastly Max the Malinois. Rottweilers are strong dogs and Lola is no exception but she’ s been well trained and follows your instructions, apart from a bit of pulling at the beginning of the walk! Max at only one-year-old is still a teenager with the need to be stimulated continuously. throw me a ball, let me jump, come play with me! We thoroughly enjoyed looking after these three characters and felt fitter when we left!

More pictures of Max, Lola & Harley(quinn)

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14 Nov 2019

Wriggly one and her big brother

We were lucky enough to look after little 8-month-old puppy spaniel Ebony and her big brother Finchley recently. This little puppy wriggles all the time, with excitement, exuberance and just the general love of life, and everyone in it and it is a joy to behold.

When out walking everyone stops to stroke little Ebony and then her bigger brother large labrador ever-patient Finchley gets a stoke too. Ebony does, however, try out his patience by stealing his treats, sticks, balls and his large and comfy big dog bed when she can! But Finchley ever the gentleman and a very gentle giant labrador too, rarely shows any displeasure what-so-ever.

We’ve taken them to the forests, fields, seaside and local towns of the New Forest and they’ve been very well behaved, always coming back when called with three blasts of the whistle, two short and one long. Of course, it helps to have a doggy treat to hand when they come back so quickly and willingly!!

In the evenings we’ve relaxed in the lounge and they are happy to sit near you for a tummy tickle and of course, a wriggle, wriggle, wriggle, for little Ebony.

More pictures of Finchley & Ebony

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12 Nov 2019

What’s in a bark? Can you speak Canine?

Does your dog bark? If so how much and for how long? Do you know what it means? Lot’s of owners say they know what their dog is saying to them and to everyone else too! If only this were true.

 

Many experts state they know what dogs are saying and that the type of barks and sounds they use have certain meanings for example:

 

– Low pitched growl usually indicates “Stay away from me!”

– High pitched yelps and high barking sounds often indicate the opposite – “Come closer and play”!
– One or two short sharp barks are usually a form of greeting to say “Why hello there, where were you?“
– Occasional barks suggest mild interest in what is happening around, calling the pack to look into the problem “Look at this“.
– Frequent barks, in a string of two to four rapid barks might indicate – “Take note, there is an intruder here! Get ready to defend the pack.“
– Long strings of incessant barking with some whining usually means “I’m very lonely, please can someone come and keep me company.”
If you want to know more about this subject so you can talk to your dog better then try reading – ‘How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication’ by Stanley Coren PhD, Rudy Sanda, et al.

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