Happydoggydays

12/01/2023

Me. In 10 years time 😂

30/12/2022

Welcome back to my special boys!
I can certainly say, I'm going to wake up very warm in the morning with the extra hot water bottles!!

24/12/2022

Wishing all our clients, friends and followers a Very Merry Christmas!
Hope Santa gives you all the joys and toys you asked for xx

12/09/2022

Exciting times!
Having offered only daycare for over 11 years.
We are now able to offer dog walking!
Morning and afternoon walks are available.
Please get in touch to arrange a time when suits.
Fully insured, first aid trained and full disclosure.

Feel free to share ###

03/08/2022

Wishing our very own Lollypop a happy heavenly 11th birthday today ❤️
It's been 6 months since you left us and I miss you every single day.
A little bit of my heart is with you always 💔

16/07/2022

Really good read 🐾🐾

We've all heard the phrase DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS! And most of us are sensible enough not to leave them in hot cars or rooms as we know temperatures SOAR in the heat. BUT, we still see people exercising their dogs? 🥵

Well did you know that in fact, "exercise triggered over 10x as many canine heat-related illness events as hot cars, and caused 8x as many deaths". With a huge 74.2% of heatstroke reported to have occurred AFTER EXERCISE. Exposure to hot weather alone (sitting in the heat) triggered 12.9% and travel or confinement in a hot car triggered only 5.2%.

Let's not be ignorant pet owners. You wouldn't leave a dog in a hot car, so do not walk them in the heat! There are multiple stimulating exercises you can do at home to keep your dog mentally entertained, or walk early in the morning or late at night when it is cool.

KNOW THE FACTS

Here is what to look out for:

🔥 Elevated body temperature of 40.c+
🔥 Heavy panting
🔥 Agitation/whining/barking
🔥 Staggering/weakness/collapse
🔥 Increased heart rate
🔥 RED gums
🔥 Excessive thirst
🔥 Seizures

RAPID COOLING SAVES LIVES ⚠️
The problem is not only the temperature the dog reaches during heat stroke, but the time the dog spends at that peak temperature. COOLING IS KEY using whatever resources are available. Active cooling in the first instance can lower mortality rate from 49% to 19%!

Best methods of cooling: water & air!
💧Water combined with air movement – running water, soaking or immersion. Tap water is ideal for cooling dogs, it’s doesn’t have to be ‘tepid’ it just needs to be water combined with air movement (evaporation) to disperse heat and you have the most effective cooling mechanism.
🧊 Ice packs accelerate cooling alongside evaporative cooling and cold water but useless instead of. Do not apply directly to the skin.
💧Allow small amounts to drink and clear froth away from the mouth to facilitate the airways.

Once cooling has been established, head to the nearest vet whilst maintaining air flow (windows down or air con on in the car). Even if your dog appears clinically well after cooling, it is still recommended that your dog receives a full examination as damage can be delayed.

‼️It was common knowledge that only tepid water should be used to cool in cases of heat stroke however, more recent investigations have shown this method to be outdated. "The concept that ice or cold water causes vasoconstriction and slows the cooling process has never been scientifically validated, and in that singular study, that claim was completely refuted. Ice or cold water likely does cause vasoconstriction, but since dogs really doesn’t use radiation from their skin to cool down much anyway, vasoconstriction doesn’t take anything away that they needed for cooling in the first place. Also, any effect of vasoconstriction is likely far outweighed by the cooling effect of the ice or cold water. The life-threatening element of heat injury is prolonged body heat. You need to cool the body to a safe temperature (under 104 F) as fast as possible and the cooler the water temp, the faster they cool." Written by Dr Janice Baker.‼️

WET TOWELS should be avoided. Wet towels limit air movement making evaporative cooling less effective. Do not apply a ‘cool coat’ to a hot dog.

For more info checkout https://heatstroke.dog/2021/06/10/hot-dogs-at-bsava-congress-2021/

Credit to www.heatstroke.dog for the facts!

© The Dog First Aid Co. 2022

08/07/2022

I can not take credit for writing this but it is so true 🥰

Secrets of a Dog Carer

It's not a job that will make millions; but for me, it's a job millions times better than many...

Dog Carers talk to each other more than you might think. About the best walking boots, what clothing we are wearing for today's weather, our financial ideas, the traffic, fallen trees, etc. It's a lonely job but we have each other's backs from a distance.

We don't physically have eyes in the backs of our heads but we know so well the sound of every jingle of every ID tag, and every dog's individual footfall on the ground behind us..

We can't physically see round corners either, but we know so well each leading dog's body language in reaction to an oncoming person and/or dog, that we may as well be able to.

We hear "Are they all yours?!" and "Wow you've got your hands full" at least twice a day, but we always smile and say "They keep me on my toes". Every. Single. Time.

It actually breaks our heart when a dog moves out of our area, and we thoroughly investigate our replacement for our own peace of mind, even if the client hasn't asked us to. Or when one of these borrowed babies gain their angel wings - that really sucks, we cry like they were our own (I'm filling up now just thinking about the ones who have passed 🥺)

If you peel back a few layers of clothing (depending on the season) you will find bruises, scratches and scrapes covering the whole of our bodies. Don't bother asking where they came from, we have no idea.

If you see a dog walker looking vaguely presentable on a weekday, you should send help, something is not right.... However, poo bags will still be in every pocket

We love our clients' dogs as we do our own and will sometimes lie awake at night worrying about their injuries, illnesses, and behaviour problems. We can't help it after spending so much time with them.

We have nick names for every dog, and yes they sometimes make no sense, but the dogs know that's your way of saying you'll always protect them like your own.

Despite the harsh winters (and rain in the summer!), the blood, sweat and tears, the dog slobber, the headbutts, and the smell of damp dog, it really is the best job in the world 🥰

05/07/2022

Oh so true! 😂

Through the eyes of a dog! 🤣

19/05/2022

Got a freebie on a local site.
Advertised as a dog bed......
The cats think they know better
🤔🤔😂😂

13/05/2022

Just a regular day here! 😉😊

08/05/2022

Hahaha 😅

30/04/2022

I certainly hope Lollypop and all her friends are shining down ❤️

❤️❤️❤️

13/04/2022

😂😂

31/01/2022

It is with the heaviest of broken heart to tell you that we lost our very own Lollypop on Saturday.
She was the kindest, gentlest and sweetest girl and my life has been changed forever.

Run free at the bridge my gorgeous girl 💔💔

27/01/2022

🔍 👀

23/01/2022

Awwwww!

19/01/2022

Wishing this gorgeous boy a very happy 12th birthday!
Oreo is the reason I started the business and is the original founding member 😉

13/01/2022

😂😂😂

06/01/2022

Fantastic news!! ❤️❤️

22/12/2021

Wishing all our clients, friends and followers a very merry Christmas and best wishes for a much better 2022!!

13/12/2021

07/12/2021

Be careful out there!
We had a somewhat interesting walk today 🙄

07/11/2021

Oh so true 🤣

Truth! 😉🤣

04/11/2021

Sounds like a good idea 😊

Thanks to Robin Humphrey for the nod on this one 😉

01/11/2021

Worth noting...

13/10/2021

Help your dog this fireworks season with these simple tips 💥✨

1. Walk earlier in the day when it's light
2. Ask your neighbours if they're planning fireworks so you can plan around them
3. Feed a big, early dinner & put the heating on to encourage restful sleep
4. Mask the sight & sound by closing blinds/windows & having the TV/radio on
5. Stay home
6. Build a cosy den in a quiet spot with duvets for soundproofing
7. Give medication if prescribed (speak to your vet well in advance if you feel it may help)
8. Offer comfort & cuddles if your dog asks for them
9. Accompany your dog in the garden (using a lead) if they need a toilet break

17/09/2021

Oh so true 😂😂

Who can relate?