Coalford Canine Retreat

11/07/2025

There’s so much advice out there about helping pets during a spell of hot weather, but it can be tough to know fact from fiction! 🤯

Our experts have busted the most common heatwave myths so that you can keep your pets safe and happy all summer long.

Check out more common myths, along with tips to protect your pets when temperatures rise: https://bit.ly/3IuEVfT

11/07/2025

02/07/2025

Myth Busting: Why 5 minutes per month just isn't right!

➡️There is lots of conflicting and confusing advice when it comes to exercise and puppies. The information can be so overwhelming! Many people will have an opinion, but what is the evidence regarding exercising puppies and joint health?

➡️We know that certain breeds are predisposed to genetic or conformation risk factors but as with anything each dog is individual. We have an extensive array of breeds who may or may not have a certain morphology, a particular shape or form, which may predispose them to joint damage: it is really difficult to give a ‘one size fits all’ advice.

➡️In one study skeletally immature dogs who undertook 15 weeks of jogging at a rate of 40 km per day had no change in cartilage content! (And realistically, 40 km per day is not a realistic expectation or aim!)

➡️In one study, running after balls and sticks throwing by the owner were also identified as risk factors for dogs developing joint issues.

Veterinary Voices: Top Tips

🩵Exercise for puppies needs to be tailored to your dog as an individual

🩵Keep your puppy at a lean body condition score, do not allow them to carry unnecessary weight

🩵Feed your puppy a healthy, complete and good quality diet appropriate for their age and breed. Getting the nutrition wrong at a young age can cause issues.

🩵Each dog should be assessed individually based on their breed, temperament and physical status

🩵Puppies should be free of hip and elbow dysplasia, and genetic predisposition to joint damage

🩵Certain high impact exercises, twisting or jarring may be risk factors for damage! Do not let your dog obsessively chase balls and toys. Avoiding jarring, high concussive (a hard blow or collision) activity during the formative months may be a prudent recommendation

➡️ REMEMBER: 1 hour of sniffing, socialising, walking, training and trotting is NOT the same as 1 hour throwing a ball repeatedly.
One will not be as obviously tiring, but will be mentally and physically stimulating, and prepare your puppy positivity for the sights and sounds of life. The other may cause obsessive, repetitive behaviour, not mentally stimulate and even may cause frustration, and will be high impact movements through our joints possibly adding to risk of joint disease.
Choose wisely 🩵

Check out more below ⬇️

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/puppy-exercise-5-minuets-per-month-of-life

20/06/2025

A quick reminder that no dog died from missing a walk, but many dogs have died as a result of being exercised in hot weather!

I've treated many dogs with heat stroke and it is often fatal, which is heartbreaking for the owners.

Dogs really struggle in the heat - they cannot sweat so they cool themselves down by panting.

☀️ Dogs die quickly in hot cars - even if they're only left for a few minutes!

☀️Dogs often get heat stroke on hot walks

☀️Animals can get heatstroke if they have no access to cool water

10 times as many dogs present for veterinary care for heatstroke after being exercised in hot weather than present following being entrapped in a car.

Flat-faced breeds such as pugs or French bulldogs are at an even bigger risk of heatstroke.

❌Do not leave animals in hot cars
❌ Ensure they aren't locked in rooms with no ventilation
❌ Provide access to plenty of cool, clean water
❌Do not exercise in the heat

If a dog is collapsed from heatstroke you should:

✅ Bring your dog inside into a shady, well ventilated, cool room
✅Call your local vets and follow their instructions
✅Cool them down by pouring cold water on them
✅ Offer them a small drink of cool water, don't allow they to lap up huge quantities at once in case they vomit
✅ Travel to the vets in a cold, air-conditioned car

There's loads more useful info on preventing and treating heatstroke at Veterinary Voices UK!

20/06/2025

A dog friendly event at The Grampian Transport Museum.

Only heard about this event in the last couple of days and it doesn’t seem to have had much publicity at all. Taking place at Alford Transport Museum this Sunday in an attempt to fill the gap created by the demise of Taste of Grampian.
www.gtm.org.uk/events/best-of-grampian
Sunday 22nd June 2025
11am - 3pm
Grampian Transport Museum, Alford
Entry to Best of Grampian is FREE

• The Scottish Venison Company

• Carol's been cooking

• Evolv3d Printing

• Highland Tea Box

• Seven Chaga

• DIP Club UK

• The Wee Brown Mouse Bakery

• Castleton Farm

• Fresh Flower Market

• Golden Delights

• Unravel Tea

• Zingy Tingy Beetroot

• Granite City Fish Ltd

• Little Rowater - The Farm of Belting Ideers

• Art by Marianne

• Robin 3D Print

• Jams and chutneys by Leanne

• Pies n' Pieces

• Mulderie Wood

• The Culinary Kiwi Bird

• Dawn's Woodcraft Designs

• Curiously Charmed

• SourCloud Bakes

• Kilted Fudge Company

• Seafood Bothy

• Neptunes Coffee

• Replenish

• Pure Decadence by Loch Aurora

• Col’s Baking Kits

• Morley's Coffee

• Drops and Dachs

• Easterton Cider Ltd - Aberdeenshire

• A & Z Delicious Donuts

• The Saffron Kitchen

• Ritch Cheese and Traybakes / Carlarch Bakery

• Special Sweets & Lots More

• Snochery Jock's

• Storm Kelpie Workshop

• Smoke and Soul

• Eva Tzatziki - Homemade Greek Food

• The Moray Honey Company

• Beautiful Fleece

• Longside Apiaries

• The Green Cocoa Team

• Hungry Squirrel

• Farm and Fancy

• Stinky Beasties

• Forglen Farm

• Glenkindie Pantry

• CocoCaramel

19/06/2025

😂

19/06/2025

13/06/2025

24/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19QTgX7x1R/?mibextid=wwXIfr

23/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1TZzYRPVQ7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

WHY DO DOGS LIVE SHORTER LIVES THAN HUMANS?

Here’s a surprising answer from a 6-year-old child 💪✍

A friend of mine, a veterinarian, once shared a touching story.

I was called to examine a ten-year-old German Shepherd named Astro. The dog’s owners and their young son were very attached to him and were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Astro and found that he was dying of cancer. I told the family that nothing more could be done and offered to perform the euthanasia at their home.

They agreed—it was the most humane choice, as the dog would otherwise suffer greatly.

As we prepared, the parents told me their six-year-old son wanted to be present during the procedure.

The next day, I felt the familiar lump in my throat as the family gathered around Astro. The little boy was calm as he gently petted the dog one last time before Astro peacefully passed away. 🖤

Afterward, we all sat together in silence, reflecting on why dogs have much shorter lives than humans.

The boy, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke:

"I know why."

We all turned to him in surprise. What he said next stunned me—I've never heard a more comforting explanation. 🐕

He said:

“People are born to learn how to live a good life—like loving and being kind, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t need to stay as long as we do.”

If a dog were your teacher, you might learn things like:

🍀 Run to greet your loved ones when they come home.
🍀 Never miss a chance to go for a walk.
🍀 Take naps.
🍀 Stretch before rising.
🍀 Run, play, and have fun daily.
🍀 When it’s enough to growl, don’t bite.
🍀 On warm days, lie on your back in the grass.
🍀 Drink lots of water and relax in the shade.
🍀 When you're happy, dance and wag your whole body.
🍀 Enjoy the simple joy of a long walk.
🍀 Be loyal.
🍀 Never pretend to be someone you’re not.
🍀 If what you want is buried, dig until you find it.
🍀 When someone’s having a bad day, be quiet, sit close, and just be there.

That’s the secret to happiness—straight from a dog’s heart.

15/05/2025

Now Free to a good Home.

Is anyone looking to buy a KittyFind GPS tracker ?
I have a friend who has ordered one and it’s too big for her cat. She thinks it would be ideal for a dog.
She bought it for £120 but will sell for £60.
It needs a sim.
Drop me a note if you are interested and I’ll put you in touch.