With flying colours :)

I had my annual inspection yesterday for the facilities and care of my dog and cat boarding aswell as my breeding. All aspects are scrutinised thoroughly.

The examiner also focussed on my dog boarding extension which incorporates 20 new, spacious kennels, with underfloor heating and self filling water dispensers. It also has a "wash down" and bedding drying area.

All passed so I now have an extended license and can certainly help out more families by caring for their pets to the same high standards as I always have whenever they need me to 

Collar or no collar

Phoebe and Ruby (my Mum and daughter rotties) we playing and wrestling on my yard as normal. They spend so much time wrapped around each other.

The noise changed to a scream.

I looked out and thought at first they were fighting but no, poor Ruby had got her leg through Phoebe's collar. The more she twisted and thrashed around, screaming the tighter it got around Phoebe's neck. Poor Phoebe's eyes were rolling and she just didn't know what to do.
Ruby was clearly in huge amount of pain and was biting at anyone including my arm (I, thankfully had a thick jacket on)

We managed to release  her by cutting the leather collar off with a stanley knife which wasn't easy as by now it was cutting into Phoebe's skin.

I was convinced Ruby would be off to the vets for repair of a broken leg but NO, once free she ran after our cat.
Phoebe was frightened and ran to the bottom of the yard and it took her a while to come to me

All go

The dog boarding extension is coming on really well. I totally trust my builder Jo Allen as he has a great work ethic and does a full days work to a very high standard.

The units should be completed in 2 weeks time then it's under floor heating, electrics and water.

The large runs going into my paddock will be created mid/end of November then, subject to me painting inside the units we are ready to go :)

I do say this is my last project as it is a lot of work and co ordination but we'll see :)

Life is a little quieter just now as half term is over and not too many people are away.

On a personal level, I am missing my middle son although my youngest and eldest are being very good (not helpful as that would be just too much for teenage boys:))
It is odd with just the three of us in the house and he would chat with me too
He'll be back at Christmas which will be lovely.

Play time :)

Who says dogs don't enjoy boarding kennels 

These guys play like this for ages and when back in their own unit they sleep like babies.

The building going up behind them is our extension of the kennels. Once complete we will setup 4/5 large exercise areas into my grass paddock. 

When complete we will have 8 exercise areas and continue to offer high levels of care and attention and plenty of fun for your dogs whilst you are away 

Heads and Tails

Salmon for breakfast and gourmet cat food for dinner so why does Danni, our pest control office (our cat) eat the middle of the mice she catches? 

All prepared for the concrete to arrive :)

We are expending our dog boarding facility. All the new units, like the original will have underfloor heating and self filling water dispensers. We will have 7 exercise areas with high, secure fencing and if they are good together a mate or two to run with :)

I will ensure we continue with our high standards of care and attention and to help me do that Racheal (assistant manager) starts next week

Today is the day

My middle son is bags packed and ready for the off

He has taken a place at De Montfort Univercity to study business management with HR

What a great choice for him I feel as he is certainly loving and caring. He has often helped me with the caring for our own and visiting animals. He has also watched, first hand as we have built our own business up from an empty grass paddock.

I do feel particularly proud of him as academic work hasn't come easily but he has worked tirelessly at it and Derby Grammar School has certainly been exactly the right school for him.

Of course I will miss him but I so pleased he is following his own life plan and venturing out into the big wide world. I shall of course continue to support him in every way I can and I'm sure, as he runs out of food or needs washing done the fact I'm just up the motorway will help :)

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