Pentland Pet Services Monthly Newsletter - July
At last, some lovely summery weather for the dogs to enjoy.
The fields were alive with the sound of happy hounds, however indications are that South Ayrshire Council are looking into ways of restricting areas accessible to dogs, based on health concerns as a result of dog mess left by irresponsible owners.
If you have not already done so I would urge you to submit your views via the questionnaire from South Ayrshire Council’s Dog Consultation, which must reach them by 19th September: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/dogfouling
My own opinion is that owners who do not clear up after their dog(s), or let their dogs roam unattended, supply the anti-dog brigade with ammunition, which is so frustrating.
I would welcome a policing of dog areas and hefty fines imposed against those owners not cleaning up after their dogs.
I would further welcome a policing of the litter louts who leave these areas not only unsightly but a hazard to children and dogs alike. Discarded food, plastic bags and bottles constantly litter park areas attracting vermin and seagulls.
I know of some of our dog friends who have ended up at the vets with deep cuts after the dogs have stepped on broken glass, youths having thought it a jolly jape to intentionally smash their empty bottles rather than place them in a bin.
Veterinary fees are expensive and the final bill to the dog owner is in the hundreds of pounds not to mention the trauma and suffering to the dog.
Years ago my Wolfhound, Cowal, suffered a deep cut as a result of litter louts and spent weeks in pain, the cut having become infected.
So yes, I agree that dog fouling is unacceptable but so is littering and I do not want, once again, to see the focus placed on a lesser problem in order to mask a much more obvious and unaddressed issue.
Tootsie and Max were still lodging at the beginning of July, continuing to enjoy each other’s company and plotting mischief to keep me on my toes.
Next to arrive was Tasha the Boxer who is a regular lodger and all round popular girl with all the dogs she meets. Tootsie was slightly in awe of Tasha on their first meeting, however Tasha lay down so that Tootsie could check her out and then invited her to play.
Tasha’s biggest fan has to be Max and, despite their difference in size, they play together and race around having a rough house whenever they meet.
At last, some lovely summery weather for the dogs to enjoy.
The fields were alive with the sound of happy hounds, however indications are that South Ayrshire Council are looking into ways of restricting areas accessible to dogs, based on health concerns as a result of dog mess left by irresponsible owners.
If you have not already done so I would urge you to submit your views via the questionnaire from South Ayrshire Council’s Dog Consultation, which must reach them by 19th September: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/dogfouling
My own opinion is that owners who do not clear up after their dog(s), or let their dogs roam unattended, supply the anti-dog brigade with ammunition, which is so frustrating.
I would welcome a policing of dog areas and hefty fines imposed against those owners not cleaning up after their dogs.
I would further welcome a policing of the litter louts who leave these areas not only unsightly but a hazard to children and dogs alike. Discarded food, plastic bags and bottles constantly litter park areas attracting vermin and seagulls.
I know of some of our dog friends who have ended up at the vets with deep cuts after the dogs have stepped on broken glass, youths having thought it a jolly jape to intentionally smash their empty bottles rather than place them in a bin.
Veterinary fees are expensive and the final bill to the dog owner is in the hundreds of pounds not to mention the trauma and suffering to the dog.
Years ago my Wolfhound, Cowal, suffered a deep cut as a result of litter louts and spent weeks in pain, the cut having become infected.
So yes, I agree that dog fouling is unacceptable but so is littering and I do not want, once again, to see the focus placed on a lesser problem in order to mask a much more obvious and unaddressed issue.
Tootsie and Max were still lodging at the beginning of July, continuing to enjoy each other’s company and plotting mischief to keep me on my toes.
Next to arrive was Tasha the Boxer who is a regular lodger and all round popular girl with all the dogs she meets. Tootsie was slightly in awe of Tasha on their first meeting, however Tasha lay down so that Tootsie could check her out and then invited her to play.
Tasha’s biggest fan has to be Max and, despite their difference in size, they play together and race around having a rough house whenever they meet.
During her stay Tasha helped me host a little dinner party for some friends, which she very much enjoyed. Tasha lay under the table as we were eating and for those wearing sandals there was a special treat as Tasha licked the occasional toe.
Julie was given a rapturous welcome when she picked Tasha up at the end of her holiday – always nice to see the dogs happy to arrive, enjoying their stay and then happy to return home.
TJ and Alfie are regularly seen in the fields, enthusiastically leaping and chasing balls.
I was amazed to see the height Alfie could leap from a standing position and commented on this to his owner Serena.
Serena then told me that this skill had landed Alfie in a spot of bother recently when the family had been walking along the promenade with the dogs one very hot day. They had reached the area with the ice cream van and were deciding on what to buy when suddenly Alfie was no longer by their side but looking at them from inside the van.
Julie was given a rapturous welcome when she picked Tasha up at the end of her holiday – always nice to see the dogs happy to arrive, enjoying their stay and then happy to return home.
TJ and Alfie are regularly seen in the fields, enthusiastically leaping and chasing balls.
I was amazed to see the height Alfie could leap from a standing position and commented on this to his owner Serena.
Serena then told me that this skill had landed Alfie in a spot of bother recently when the family had been walking along the promenade with the dogs one very hot day. They had reached the area with the ice cream van and were deciding on what to buy when suddenly Alfie was no longer by their side but looking at them from inside the van.
This in some way reminded me of one of Ben’s antics.
Ben was a black lab with a sense of humour and I can hear Kirsty saying in exasperation “Oh no, Benjamin!” following yet another escapade.
One that springs to mind was when Kirsty and Ben were part of an open air pilgrimage walking to St. Ninians. En-route the pilgrims collected stones to make a cairn and sticks to create a make shift cross. Ben was enjoying the beach walk, racing ahead to catch those up front and racing back to Kirsty, tail wagging and big grin on his face.
Nearing the gathering point Kirsty looked up to see Ben racing towards her with the make shift cross in his mouth followed by several pilgrims with somewhat astonished looks on their faces.
In what became a rather irreverent scene Kirsty started chasing after Ben to retrieve the cross, which only resulted in Ben picking up the pace and ignoring Kirsty’s commands of “Benjamin, bring that cross back at once!”
Eventually the cross was retrieved from a somewhat subdued Ben who then rejoined the group with a red faced Kirsty.
Unfortunately it was about this time that Ben spotted some cows in a nearby field.
Now, if you knew Ben you would know that he had a thing about cows and barked at them defensively. I think this was the last pilgrimage Kirsty and Ben participated in.
Sadly Ben is no longer with us but his tales live on. He is the inspiration behind the Benjamin Brownies so popular with my customers.
I hope I have managed to email everyone individually to advise them of the increase in daily lodging prices. For those that don’t know, and for future reference, lodging fees from the 1st January 2012 will be £12.
Meanwhile, another busy month to look forward to and hopefully some more lovely weather to see us through the summer months.
Anne
Ben was a black lab with a sense of humour and I can hear Kirsty saying in exasperation “Oh no, Benjamin!” following yet another escapade.
One that springs to mind was when Kirsty and Ben were part of an open air pilgrimage walking to St. Ninians. En-route the pilgrims collected stones to make a cairn and sticks to create a make shift cross. Ben was enjoying the beach walk, racing ahead to catch those up front and racing back to Kirsty, tail wagging and big grin on his face.
Nearing the gathering point Kirsty looked up to see Ben racing towards her with the make shift cross in his mouth followed by several pilgrims with somewhat astonished looks on their faces.
In what became a rather irreverent scene Kirsty started chasing after Ben to retrieve the cross, which only resulted in Ben picking up the pace and ignoring Kirsty’s commands of “Benjamin, bring that cross back at once!”
Eventually the cross was retrieved from a somewhat subdued Ben who then rejoined the group with a red faced Kirsty.
Unfortunately it was about this time that Ben spotted some cows in a nearby field.
Now, if you knew Ben you would know that he had a thing about cows and barked at them defensively. I think this was the last pilgrimage Kirsty and Ben participated in.
Sadly Ben is no longer with us but his tales live on. He is the inspiration behind the Benjamin Brownies so popular with my customers.
I hope I have managed to email everyone individually to advise them of the increase in daily lodging prices. For those that don’t know, and for future reference, lodging fees from the 1st January 2012 will be £12.
Meanwhile, another busy month to look forward to and hopefully some more lovely weather to see us through the summer months.
Anne
