Learning new skills :)

I have just had the most fabulous holiday. 

I was invited to go and learn to sail on a 46foot yacht in the Ionian so off I went.

Sail Blue Planet 

Hopping from island to island, beautiful cove to cove in Greece

I learnt the basics of sailing and gained my competent crew certificate. 

Next I may take the day skipper ( I hope there will be a next)

I do have an ambition to sail in the clipper boat race and who knows, one day :)

I saw many, pitiful dogs and cats out on the islands. All the male dogs entire and most of the females looking pregnant. Non looked in great health and all were scrounging tit bits off the tourists. I was very careful not to touch them as i'm sure they weren't in the best of health and may have fleas too.

I chatted with one lady who takes the strays in and we both puzzled why no one castrates/ neuters these poor animals. I guess the cats form their pest control as they were constantly around the kitchens

I will put some photos on when I have a minute 

What's new?

A very busy summer of course as everyone goes away and we care for their pets. 

It is so very rewarding when a quiet, timid and some times very nervous dog arrives and with a little patience we bring it round to be happy and confident whist here. The family arrive, very tentative to collect and out bounds a lively dog who has clearly had a nice time. The family are so delighted they book to secure their place next year :)

This can only happen because we truly care. My team of helpers are as vidulant as I am about each and every pet we  have entrusted to us.

I have decided to go ahead with our planned expansion of the dog boarding kennels. It will be built of block and steal which is both easy to keep clean and disease free. We have oodles of carpet and lovely soft bedding too.

I have been pacing out a paddock as one of the keys to happy dogs is lots of exercise so I am planning to have a further three/four exercise areas giving us seven in total.

If the weather is nice and we can then the dogs in our care are some times out playing all day. At night they are quiet as often shattered from running, wrestling and just having good fun

My lovely boys are all doing well. Eldest going into his final year of his electrical apprenticeship so lets see what lay ahead for him now but he is with a very good company

My middle son did very well with his A levels and is off to study for a degree in business management and HR

Youngest starts his second year GCSE in September

I am so very proud of them all as they are making their way in life. 

Life down on the farm

We have some family and friends camping in the garden at the moment. Glamping actually. They baked this (was) lovely cake for us to share. Pippa ( 13 year old terrier) found a way to climb onto a high table, get beyond the boring stuff and she tucked in. "Compliments to the chef" as she ate almost her own body weight :)

Can you spot Strudles?

She has had a lovely holiday at Dogs Paws boarding kennels

Training continues for Ruby and Dapphne. 17 weeks old and off to the city Mel and I went. Yes they are playing with their water pot outside the cafe but they are fed up of being fussed. Everyone stops to pet them, young and old. "Are they Rottweilers" they ask in dismay as they are soooo friendly and we intend to keep them that way and continue our mission to restore peoples faith in this truly stunning breed.
Mel and I are continuing our training on Thursday evenings if anyone has a dog and would be interested in joining us?

 I couldn't keep them out of the water. An older chap watched on as we encouraged the girls to go behind as it is all good confidence building. It made him smile lots too

Bella gets a cuddle with Rachel at Cats Whiskers. She is very young so in a front unit with the door open so we can keep an eye on her at all times. She is getting ooooodles of attention too so good for her confidence

Oh what fun

Last evening we had a "bit of a do"

It was to thank all for helping with the fun day in May as without the family and friends Mel and I just couldn't have done it

We played rounders and had a BBQ

As always the weather was perfect

I bought 100 rolls and this morning there are just 8 left

There were many cakes baked and only crumbs here this morning so I can only assume every one was well fed

It was a whole family affair so there were lots of youngsters and they were fantastic. They played rounders too so everyone had to be patient but it was funny when they didn't really get the game and once hit the ball just ran in circles

Mel's day guest my funniest moment award as he was fielding, the ball slogged by a strong, teenager, his eyes followed it through the tree and he watched the far fielder to see if he catches it BUT it had hit a branch and fell on this head. Everyone howled

Thank you to all for making it such a fun evening x

How many hours in a day??

Down on the farm we have a new litter of gorgeous Cockapoo puppies. Toffee is Mum and Duke Dad. She is a loyal girl as has only ever "married" him. They do make lovely puppies/ adult dogs and there are a few around this area if you wanted to see how these puppies will turn out.

Ruby, my Rotti puppy, has started her training so every day I need to spend one to one time with her as I'm determined to have her at least as good as her Mum, Phoebe. My friend Mel and I took our 4 Rotti's out along the canal Wednesday. It was Ruby's first time on the highway and on a lead. She did well. Our next outing we are taking the two puppies into the city :)

We have acquired a pig, YES a pig who apparently hasn't lived with pigs as doesn't get along with them but is very used to dogs. She is great with my dogs but I will need to build her a safe place for when I'm busy with outer peoples dogs who may not be so good with her. (another job to do) She is such a lovely, loving girl who is also house trained but she is either pregnant or has very large worms :) Time will tell.
Everyone loves her including the many teenage boys we have around here :)

We have acquired a 15.1hh horse. A girl and I don't really do girl horses as they can be so "marish" but she found us and what a lovely calm and gentle girl she is so we have decided to take a foal off her. I have found a stunning stallion who is used by the queen to produce the grey horses to pull her carriage. Good enough for the queen :)
She has had her swabs taken and doesn't have any sexually transmitted diseases!!!  Just as well as she has never been courting before. The stallion owner insists on the test and I cannot blame her as she wants to keep her boy "clean" I had no idea it was such a problem with horses.
I also had her scanned to see where she is in her cycle and she is going to be "married" over this weekend as is about to ovulate.
Fingers crossed 11 month time we will have the pitter, patter of more tiny feet :)

The new dog run a proving a god send and our many boarding dogs can be outside most of the day and if not yappy they never get shut in at all. I do run nice kennels even though I do say so myself. Actually many others say so as we are getting very busy all the time and at points in the summer we are already full.

Painting in the cattery is almost there. Just the doors and the floor to do now then we are ready for summer.

I am looking to take some help on but finding the right person is not easy. Someone who can maintain our high standards, who is great with the animals, who can work and think for themselves and who is trustworthy and good with people. A tall order but I am looking as we would like a holiday and after 9 years of trading I would like a full day off a week :)

Exam season is over for my boys so wind down is happening. They are soon on summer holidays. Middle son is trying to secure a summer job in HR as that is what he is studying at university in September. I'm so proud

What's new?

Where do I begin? :)

We now have a large, supper, dooper  dog run which goes round the island and takes in trees so great for shade on those illusive hot, sunny, summer days. This gives me 3 large exercise areas so ready for the busy summer.

My lovely horse had to be put to sleep as had a long standing problem with his hind legs. So very sad but at least he isn't being passed onto some poor, unsuspecting buyer and I will look again as not ready to hang up my riding boots yet :)

We have acquired a micro pig called Whinney. She thinks she is a dog and cannot settle with other pigs. In fact she does fight them. She is great with my dogs, is house trained and comes when called. She loves fuss and likes watching TV too :)

My ride on mower is proving fantastic and helping me keep on top of maintenance of the place.

My lovely boys are in the middle of exams and seem to be working and doing well. Time will tell :)
Despite having an unconditional offer at university to study business studies with H R my middle son is working hard to do well with his A levels.

I am a very proud Mum