Full steam ahead :)

I have just received planning permission to extend the dog boarding.

It has proved a great success and we often turn business away.

I shall be mindful not to grow too big as my main objective is to deliver a high standard of care to all my guests.

Once we have completed the new build we will have 4/5 big exercise areas. One will be in my bottom paddock giving the large dogs great space to run and play and one will incorporate part of the island so the dogs will have trees to chase around. The boy dogs will use the tree trunks too :)

Once we have quietened down after the Christmas rush I shall start painting. Dogs are soooo messy!!

I have interviewed some help who should be starting with me soon to get into the swing of things ahead of my next busy period.

A lazy day :)

On Christmas day Marion came in to help me. She is a star as we were close to full everywhere what with dogs, cats and puppies.

My lovely boys got up early and helped too. Between the 5 of us it still took a couple of hours but all our guests were well tended and had Christmas treats too :)

My children opened gifts then we went off to The Stenson Bubble for lunch :)

It was lovely with so much choice. No preparation and the biggest bonus, no siding away. It was well worth the money and we may well do it again next year.

The afternoon was full on again with animals and my helpers didn't abandon me, my boys played a lot with the dogs. They do have their favourite but make sure they give all some time and attention. The dogs love it. They are very quiet when returned to their own units as well exercised and happy to have a snooze.

The weather is being kind to us so far with only a slight frost. The units have under floor heating which goes on at night so I really don't need to worry about them getting a chill

Nanny Poebe :)

These are not your babies Phoebe!!

She is very happy sitting with the Labradoodles. She carefully lays down and even lets them suckle off her. She is so very gentle but of course we don't leave her in with the puppies.

They are all doing very well. Eyes open, ears almost. They have just about got their bellies off them floor so they can walk rather than slither.

They are still very much on Mum's milk but I will introduce solids very soon which will take the pressure off Lulu. She is doing a fantastic job and is very attentive.

Busy as usual

Almost finished the shovelling of rubble for the entrance but got a little side tracked as I am part of a team of 7 ladies, who have various fund raising events raising much needed funds for cancer research and the charity CRY

The first event was a Winter Wonderland evening. Held in Carolyn's barn atLower Damgate Farm near Ilam. Beautiful part of the country in the peak district. We spend most of last week tooing and frowing as we took this beautiful, large and empty barn, decorated it and set it up ready to receive 200 guests for a sit down meal.

We did it and the evening was a great success. Marie a friend of mine sang and entertained for most part of the evening. We ate the most delicious beef stew and dumplings served by a fantastic team of teenagers who had all kindly given up their evening for us. The atmosphere was buzzing with happy chatty people enjoying themselves who danced their little feet off till the wee small hours. The conga was like no other, even the teenagers were impressed.

We raised circa £5,000 which is fantastic as there was no raffle or auction.

Many have asked me when the next might be?

Watch this space but if you are interested please let me know as it promises to be a good one and sell out quickly :)