Happy Tails

15/07/2024

A very happy Zadie soaking in the sunshine on this crisp Winter day!!🌤

02/07/2024

✨Tuesday Training Tip! ✨Film Yourself Training Your Pet!!

Recording yourself to watch back is SO useful and provides so much information that you would otherwise miss.

Some of the benefits include:
🐾See where to improve your timing with marking & rewarding

🐾Notice body language communication that you might've missed in the moment. Body language can be so subtle and quick so having an opportunity to look back at the situation is going to help you understand your dog more and know what to look for next time.

🐾Be able to look back at your progress over time! It's fun to see how far you and your dog have come over time, what has changed, and what hasn't!

🐾Have someone else watch the video for feedback! Whether it's a friend or a pet professional, having an outside opinion can be a great way to find ways to improve!

🐾Capture moments just hanging out and connecting with your pet! The memories we make with our furry (or feathery or scaly) best friends should be treasured and filming is just another way to do that!

28/06/2024

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Puppies are born deaf but by their maturity, dogs' ears can pick up sounds FOUR times better than humans can!

There are also differences within breeds. Dogs with tall, erect ears have sharper hearing than those with dropped ears.

13/06/2024

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the size of beautiful Bogart's paw?! A huge 13 year old Mastiff but truly a gentle giant, a lovely boy who really just wants pats and company🥰🐾

10/06/2024

Kindness is the path to understanding and connection with your pet. 💙

One of the things I talk about the most is how important having a good relationship with your pet is when it comes to their care, wellbeing, and training - but when it comes down to it, what exactly does this mean?

Happy Tails is based on three principles that I have found to encompass what it means to be kind and builds a trusting relationship between human and animal. These are: Compassion, communication, and patience.

This means being empathetic to your pet's personal perspective, behaving in a way that they can clearly understand, and knowing that almost nothing happens quickly.

Having a pet (or two, or three, or more...) means accepting another living entity into your home and they are going to come with their own personality, preferences, wants, and needs. As their carers, it is not only our responsibility, but our privilege, to learn what these are and respond accordingly! That is the way to a harmonious intra-species household.

06/06/2024

Fun Fact Friday!🐾✨

Cats are well known for their long sleeping habits, often resting for 16 hours per day (or more)!

During 70% of this time, their brains continue to register sounds, smells, and movements around them. This is so they can quickly jump into action or onto prey if needed!

25/05/2024

I met myself in dog form!! This is Lucy!

Lucy is the most gorgeous 12 year old Bull Arab X and she's so wonderful! We had a great time playing in the garden and then she decided it was naptime. I could not agree more with those priorities Lucy😂

10/05/2024

Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that dogs only have about 2000 taste buds compared to the 10,000 that people have?!

Dogs are also not very sensitive to the taste of salt - likely because of the high salt content in meat that their wild ancestors ate.

07/05/2024

Bo Jangles the cat keeping a cautious distance from the hose😂

Did you know that throughout your pet sitting booking Happy Tails will look after your plants and garden too?! 🪴🌻

For small gardens and pot plants, it is completely complementary to your booking! For large gardens that may take up to 30 minutes, it is just $15!

Other house maintenance tasks included in your booking includes; bringing in mail & packages and putting out/bringing in bins. If there is anything additional you require for your booking, just ask!

16/04/2024

Always so lovely spending time with wonderful Bo Jangles!🥰🐱

29/03/2024

Yesterday was wonderful Toby's 5th birthday!! 🎉🎉 We celebrated with a local adventure walkie and then some tasty cookies!

Toby and I have become great friends over the last two months and now hanging out with him is definitely a highlight of my week!! 🌤🐶

12/03/2024

Play & Enrichment Sessions for Dogs!!

Book a play session for your dog/s for an enjoyable and individualised time. These sessions are perfect for hot days as an alternative to walks that will keep your dog happy while staying cool and hydrated.

They are also a great opportunity:
🐾 For puppies to learn and build confidence
🐾 To help your senior dog maintain cognitive ability with mental stimulation
🐾 As enrichment for dogs recovering from injuries who need low intensity activities
🐾 and more!

Sessions are $25 for 30 mins or $35 for 1hr with discounts available for bulk bundles. The bundles are also interchangeable with dog walks so we can alternate between walks and indoor activities depending on the weather!

Get in contact to book in or with any questions!

Website: www.happytails.net.au
Mobile: 0428 807 241
Email: [email protected]

Thanks!

08/03/2024

Walks only up to 30 mins long can be perfect for some dogs! 🐾🌳

Not all dogs want or need an entire hour out and about. Shorter walks can be ideal for:
- Senior dogs or any age dogs with mobility or pain concerns
- Dogs getting back into walks after time off (maybe due to injury).
- Small check-ins during the work day. This can be a great way to break up the day for your dog if you work long hours away from home.
- Flat-nosed breeds, especially during hot weather. This includes French bulldogs, pugs, cavaliers, boxers, and Boston terriers. These dogs are more prone to breathing issues and heat intolerance so less vigorous walks can be great.

Walks are $25ea or there are bundles available for discounted rates.
If you have any questions or would like to book in don't hesitate to reach out!

Mobile: 0428 807 241
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.happytails.net.au or click the link in my bio

06/03/2024

Hot days means we get to play Rafa's favourite activity - chase and jump and soar with the hose!!☀️💧🐶

28/02/2024

🐾Three Reasons Your Dog Might Be Pulling on the Lead!🐾

1. Dogs are naturally faster than us!
They have four legs, we only have two. It seems so obvious but it is frequently forgotten about!

2. It's an emotional expression!
Whether your dog is excited, anxious, overstimulated, frustrated, or something else - behaviour can tell us a lot about how our dog is feeling and experiencing the world.

3. They are physically uncomfortable!
This relates to #2 with how your dog is experiencing the world. A dog that is looking for a water source to drink, needs to get out quickly to p*e, or doesn't want to walk on prickly grass anymore is going to be motivated to pull on the lead.

Of course, these are only a few of the possible reasons your dog may be pulling on the lead. All in all though it comes down to one simple fact: Walking on a leash is a learned skill. No dog is born knowing how to walk 'loosely' or 'at heel'. That is something that people have decided we would like!

If you would like help with leash skills and dog walking, feel free to reach out!

Website: www.happytails.net.au
Mobile: 0428 807 241
Email: [email protected]

21/02/2024

Obi and Pinky!!🐶🐶

I spent last week walking these two lovely dogs and it was so much fun! They are both very friendly and excitable dogs, very eager to engage and play, and always had the biggest happy smiles!🌟🤩

31/01/2024

Last day to donate to T1 International for Type 1 Diabetes!!

Happy Tails has been fundraising for T1 International which is an organisation that supports and advocates for accessible & affordable insulin worldwide.

Any help or support in the fundraiser would be hugely appreciated!

Help Lucy Johnson raise money to support T1International

10/01/2024

Spent the last week looking after this lovely kitty, Shooter! This lil tuxedo man has got real personality and a deep love for ham.
Cya next time Shoot!!

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas✨️🎄🌈❤️ Hope everyone has had a brilliant day!

07/12/2023

Yay!!
In case you haven't heard, Happy Tails is fundraising for Type 1 Diabetes with T1 International! If you'd like to learn more or donate head to my website www.happytails.net.au/donate-to-diabetes or directly to the donation page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/happytails-insulin4all

Plus, 5% of all bookings are going towards the fundraiser until 31 Jan 2024!

As a Type 1 myself, this is a super important cause to me and I would forever appreciate any and all support!

Thank you!
- Lucy

We wanted to give a special shoutout to all of our corporate supporters last month! This includes Sugar Bomb Collective, Artery Ink, NickiChicki, Dia-log The Insulin for Your Soul, Type 1 Toucan, Vial Safe, Ink Art by Amelia, Happy Tails, and FRIO Medicine Cooling Wallets.

Thank you so much for all you do to support T1International and !

[Image Description: White and blue wavy background with blue text and the logos of all of T1International's corporate supporters from November.]

05/12/2023

Lil snapshot of my day yesterday!🐾

I truly have the best job ever and I am so grateful for it! Whether I'm walking the neighbourhood, training a new skill, or giving scritchy scratches, caring for my client's pets is constant fulfilment!🌟🐱🐶

22/11/2023

Spent some time with this pretty boy, Mordy, today😍🐶

07/11/2023

Optus outage!

If you are awaiting a reply from me please know that I have seen it and will get back to you as soon as I can!

Hopefully it gets fixed soon!
Thanks🐶🐱

05/11/2023

Mabel - the most delightful senior lady🥰

Caring for Mabel is always so much fun, she's such good company for both walks and chilling at home😊🐶

27/09/2023

27/09/2023

I am so excited to share that I am partnering with to raise awareness and money for Type 1 Diabetes and insulin accessibility worldwide!

Go to www.happytails.net.au/donate-to-diabetes to contribute or find out more!

➡️ The Issue:
Insulin is a life saving and necessary medication for Type 1 Diabetes, however due to excessive price gouging and inadequate healthcare systems 1 in 2 people can't afford or access it.

➡️ Who are ?
T1 Int. are a not-for-profit organisation based in the UK that is advocating and campaigning for more affordable insulin everywhere. Their campaign of "Fight for Five" aims for insulin to be no more than 5% of an individual's income. They also provide educational resources on the consequences of inaccessible insulin and on Type 1 Diabetes in general, for both diabetics and non-diabetics.

➡️ How can you help?
There are 3 ways to contribute to the fundraiser!

1. Book a pet service with and 5% is going towards T1 Int.

2. Donate directly at justgiving.com/happytails-insulin4all without needing to be a HT client.

3. Share the fundraiser! I would be so appreciative to anyone who can share this with others in your life!

Healthcare shouldn't be a luxury or a privilege. It shouldn't depend on who you are or where you live. It shouldn't be something that you are giving up just to afford to eat.

Let's fight for change and make a reality.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!

We're excited to announce that we're partnering with Happy Tails pet services! They'll be donating a portion of booking costs from their pet services, from now to January 2024, to T1International. If you're located in the Newcastle area in Australia, consider Lucy for your pet service needs!

Click here to check out Happy Tails: https://www.happytails.net.au/

Plus, being the superstar she is, Lucy is also running a fundraiser for T1International! Click here to check out her page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/happytails-insulin4all

[Image Description: Beige background with dark gray and blue text alongside a photo of Lucy and the Happy Tails logo. The text is highlighting our partnership with Happy Tails, where 5% of booking costs from her pet services will be donated to T1International.]

20/09/2023

✨️🐶BO & ZADIE🐶✨️

This spring I've started walking these two lovely girls and it has been great getting to know them!

Bo is a 14 year old West Highland Terrier and Zadie is a rescue Labradoodle, about 3 or 4 years old.

Can't wait for more adventures with them!

18/09/2023

🐱BabyPuss, Rosie, Spot, & Sam🐱

I spent the last few weeks looking after this magnificent household of cats and it was great!

They all have such unique and individual personalities, I love hanging out with each of them.

Special mention to BabyPuss because he was super brave with me being around. He has a lot of stranger anxiety and hasn't come out of hiding before. This time he started venturing out and just watching me from a distance, and then he ate a few biscuits I tossed in his direction, we repeated this for days and slowly but surely BabyPuss would get closer and closer to me.

Eventually, he actually let me pat him and even leaned in for more whilst purring!

I could not believe it and cannot emphasise enough how huge and special that moment was.

Building meaningful connections with animals is exactly why I love this job and I am so grateful for it.

08/09/2023

🌟🐾TED🐾🌟

In August, I got to look after this wonderful boy - Ted the Great Dane! At only 1 year old, Ted is a bundle of energy and excitement and eagerness for affection and companionship.

We played lots of training games and activities that focused on not jumping up on people, impulse control, and calming & settling! Dogs, especially younger ones, can have A LOT of energy and big emotions so I helped show Ted what to do with them AND still have his needs met.

For example, Ted jumped up when greeting me which can be a problem behaviour for any dog - let alone a giant breed like Ted. But he was only jumping up out of excitement and seeking affection! So I taught Ted that he would be rewarded (with both treats and physical affection) by keeping all four paws on the ground and he picked it up like a champion!

I'm excited to see how Ted's training progresses. He's a brilliant dog and I really enjoyed our time together!

07/09/2023

If you've been following along, you've probably seen these two faces before - this is Fergus and Walter!

We've walked together every week for almost an entire year and now it's reached a bittersweet end! Walking these two has been an absolute joy and I've always looked forward to seeing them. They are both insanely affectionate and cuddly which has been very special🥰

Thanks Bev and hope to see you again soon F & W! 💚💜