KALEE - Canine Wellbeing & Education

20/11/2025

Brrr it's cold this morning - but I love it - crisps and frosty mornings with blue skies - perfect 👌

❄️ Cold Weather, Frost & Dogs 🐾

One moment they’re curled up in the warmth of central heating, the next they’re bounding straight out into the bite of frosty air. That all of a sudden shift from cosy radiators to icy pavements can be a shock to the system, for us and for our dogs!

Frost and ice bring their own challenges: slippery ground, cold paws, and the sting of frozen air in sensitive noses. While many dogs love the crisp energy of winter mornings (I do and Shilo does), it’s worth remembering that comfort matters. Warm muscles indoors can tighten quickly in the cold, so gentle movement and a slower start help them adjust.

🌬️ Tips for guardians:

🐾 Allow a pause at the door so dogs can acclimatise before rushing out.
🐾 Protect paws from ice and salt with balm or boots (get then used to the boots first).
🐾 Keep walks steady and mindful. Frost can make even familiar paths unpredictable.
🐾 Balance the joy of crisp air with the comfort of returning to warmth.

Cold weather can be invigorating, but it’s the transition that counts. Supporting dogs through that sudden shift from heated homes to frosty mornings keeps them safe, comfortable, and ready to enjoy the sparkle of winter.

19/11/2025

So, for a little bit of fun on this v.cold November evening -

Write in the comments - My dogs heart lights up when..... then keep pressing the middle button

Let's see what we all get 🐾🫶🐾

18/11/2025

Take ten mins and grab yourself a cup of chamomile tea and share a cooled version with your dog 🫶🐾❤️ sit down relax and breathe slowly.

This simple act captures the heart of Zoopharmacognosy: the study of how animals instinctively self-medicate using plants, clays, and other natural substances. In the wild, elephants seek out fermented fruits, parrots eat clay to neutralise toxins, and chimpanzees chew bitter leaves to ease parasites. This is nature’s pharmacy at work.

Animals, show us that self-selection is an innate survival skill, they know what they need, and when they need it.

🐾 How it supports our pets

Domestic dogs and cats may not roam jungles or savannahs, but they still carry this instinct. When offered safe, natural choices like herbs, essential oils, or clays they often select what supports their wellbeing. This can help with:

🫶 Digestive comfort
🫶 Emotional balance (stress, anxiety, decompression)
🫶 Skin and coat health
🫶 Seasonal immunity and resilience

🐾 Seasonal maintenance

Just as we shift our routines with the seasons, our pets benefit from seasonal support too:
💚 Spring: cleansing herbs for renewal and allergy support
💚 Summer: cooling botanicals for hydration and calm
💚 Autumn: grounding roots and immune-strengthening plants
💚 Winter: warming herbs and oils for comfort and joint care

🐾 Why it matters

Self-selection honours your pet’s autonomy and agency - it’s about offering choice, respecting instinct, and creating a safe space for them to guide their own care.

Please reach out to me to find out more.

18/11/2025

Hi everyone,

I wrote my first children's Christmas story last year - here it is 🫶

This Christmas, get ready for a heart-warming adventure with the most unlikely hero: a pigeon!

The Pigeon That Saved Christmas Day is a charming children’s book that tells the story of how a brave and clever pigeon helped Santa deliver his presents when his reindeers including Rudolph fell sick on Christmas Eve.

Join the pigeon as he flies across the world, dodges dangers, makes new friends, and saves the day with his quick thinking and creative solutions.

The Pigeon That Saved Christmas Day is a fun and festive read for young children with beautiful pictures and a message of courage, kindness, and teamwork. Don’t miss this amazing book that will make you cheer for the pigeon that saved Christmas Day!

The story is full of emotion and shows how a simple act of kindness can make a difference

This Christmas, get ready for a heart-warming adventure with the most unlikely hero: a pigeon! The Pigeon That Saved Christmas Day is a charming children’s book that tells the story of how a brave and clever pigeon helped Santa deliver his presents when his reindeers fell sick on Christmas Eve. .....

17/11/2025

Taking orders today for delivery this Thursday. £3:50 each or two for £6 plus postage.

A little something handmade today - Frost Kiss Salve - for you and your dog - multi-purpose ❤️

A soothing lip salve for us and nourishing paw balm for pup 🫶 two in one 🐾💋

16/11/2025

Hi professional dog walkers who cover the Barry area - please can you contact me 🫶

Thank you ❤️🐾❤️

11/11/2025

💜. Purple Poppy Remembrance – 11/11

Today we pause not only for the men and women who gave their lives, but also for the animals who served alongside them. Horses, dogs, pigeons, cats and countless others carried burdens, delivered messages, offered protection, and gave comfort.

They had no choice.
They also served.
They deserve to be remembered.

On this day of reflection, the purple poppy reminds us that their sacrifice was silent, but no less profound. May we honour them with gratitude, compassion, and a promise to protect those who cannot choose.

Lest we forget the animals too 💜🐾💜

🫶💜🫶

08/11/2025

*** Update 4pm 09th Nov - Thanks to everyone for sending me your video clips - I can only pray that the explosions calm down now.

I've almost completed the presentation and will send off to relevant people along with my detailed documentation letter. If you wish to see this letter please send me a message.

It is a shame that I don't have more time to collate more videos and in-depth info. But I've done what I can and what I am capable of - I am sure there are people (on my friends list) that could create a dramatic presentation in no time - but I'm self taught and not techno friendly lol.

I will also record a shortish PowerPoint presentation of what I've put together and post it here - tomorrow if I have time.

🫶🐾🫶🐾🫶🐾🫶🐾🫶🐾🫶❤️❤️❤️

Hi Everyone, it's like Nov 05th again!

I need your help...

Please can you send me your short video clips of your animals in distress (Wales only please). I will collate a presentation and send it to our MP.

Can you send direct to me please by messenger.

Please include:-

Area
Date
Time

Behaviour

🫶🐾🫶

I do need to do this quick - it needs to be with them my 12th Nov.

Please let's do this together!!

Pics will do if you haven't videos.

07/11/2025

Myth Busting 🫶

Myth: Dogs should “just get used to noise and be forced to be in close proximity of said fear.”

Truth: Comfort builds confidence, forcing fear only breaks trust ❣️ Fear is not a behaviour.

05/11/2025

How can we help our dogs to "empty their bucket", to decompress and calm down the following days after bonfire night❓

After the Bang: Supporting Your Dog to Decompress ❣️

Fireworks will soon be over (we hope), but for many dogs, the stress doesn’t vanish. Decompression is the quiet, crucial phase that follows a high-stress event. It’s about helping your dog’s nervous system settle, their emotional “bucket” gently empty, and their sense of safety return.

🪣 I often use the bucket analogy: every bang, flash, or sudden movement adds a splash of stress. When the bucket overflows, we see trembling, hiding, barking, or shutdown. Decompression is the process of tipping that bucket out slowly, safely with TLC.

Because stress lingers. Even if your dog seems “fine,” they may still be hyper alert, sensitive, or withdrawn. Decompression gives their body and mind a chance to reset, so they can rest, reconnect, and feel safe again.

You may ask how long does it take?

It really depends. Some dogs bounce back in hours. Others especially those with trauma or noise sensitivity, or pain might need days or even a full week (perhaps a little longer - if their bucket doesn't empty much). It is important to be mindful that there’s no rush.

And it’s also important to remember: behaviour can shift during decompression.

Dogs who are usually calm and non-aggressive might snap or growl if pushed too soon. Unpredictability is part of the stress response. It’s not “bad behaviour” it’s a sign that your dog’s bucket is still full. Give them space, soften expectations, and let safety rebuild slowly.

🫶 Here’s how I support decompression at home:

1. Create a quiet, cosy space with familiar scents and soft lighting.
2. Sometimes I skip the walk. Rest is healing. Instead, I bring the outdoors in: leaves, pinecones, moss for gentle sniffing and sensory grounding.
3. I offer a licky mat with soft, soothing foods like mashed sweet potato, goat’s yoghurt, or botanical-infused purees. Licking is deeply calming, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
4. I set up a self-selection station with calming hydrosols (lavender, chamomile), grounding herbs (valerian, linden, lemon balm), or gentle flower essences (aspen, mimulus or / and rock rose).
5. I offer slow, intuitive massage. Long gentle strokes along the spine, gentle circular ear rubs, soft pressure over the shoulders and heart space.
6. I keep soundscapes soft with gentle music (anything in the key of G - The Eagles, or brown noise (waterfalls , rain) helps buffer residual triggers.
7. I stick to predictable routines and low-demand environments.
8. Most importantly, I let my dog lead. If they want closeness, I offer it. If they need space, I honour it.

Decompression is a compassionate pause and a way of saying, “I see you. I’m here. You’re safe now.”

What do you do to help your dog decompress after an event?