Rob Adair Pet Care

28/08/2024

Quick reminder for everyone that I'll be taking my annual 5 days holiday next week (gasp, shock, horror, how very dare you!)

I'll be closing the doors at 6pm on Wednesday 4th September and re-opening at 8am on Tuesday 10th September

21/08/2024

I was deeply saddened to hear about the very sudden loss of Mitch yesterday. Losing a cherished pet is never easy, and my heart goes out to Lesley, Lee and Molly during this difficult time.

Mitch was unique, not just a pet, but a loyal companion and a true member of the family.

Hopefully memories of the moments shared with him will bring you comfort and peace xx

11/06/2024

24/05/2024

If you were thinking about heading down to the beach tonight, there's about 200 drunken school leavers down there. The smell of bubblegum vapes is unbearable.

09/05/2024

Our resident dog whisperer Beth settling Buddy and Pickles down for the night. Cuteness personified.

11/04/2024

What your dog thinks when you don't home board him

20/02/2024

Star on her birthday walk once I'd finished for the day. Water retrieves with the floating dummy was her game of choice, so her favourite Scooby Doo ball got a rest. Weatherwise it was a nice day for it and the calm sea made the dummy easy to spot.

20/02/2024

Happy 1st Birthday to our very own Star, lover of life and destroyer of toys. Unfortunately as any dog owning pet sitter, dog walker, groomer or vet will tell you she's having to be neglected in favour of my paying customers, but I'll make it up to her this afternoon. Fortunately it's half term so she's got plenty of human company while I'm out, and Theo and Lexi if she fancies a mad half hour.

03/02/2024

I've seen similar ancient drawings that show medieval rabbits were six foot tall and attacked people with clubs...not a good time to be a pet sitter back then 😂

12/01/2024

I'm sure a few of you can relate to this tonight, unfortunately for me I've got a Lab 😂

29/12/2023

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I'll be reopening at 8am on the 2nd of January, but realise that some people will still be on holiday, so if you can message me your requirements for next week I'd be very grateful.

25/12/2023

Second best Christmas present ever (after Star obviously). When people let you down you can always rely on your dogs for unconditional love, loyalty, empathy and their general non-judgemental demeanour.

22/12/2023

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll be closing at 6pm tonight and reopening at 8am on the 2nd of January.

18/11/2023

I've had a lot of enquiries and business through this website and obviously lots of likes and positive reviews to get this accolade. Well worth signing up for if you like to support local business.

24/10/2023

Just had Star down to Marsden beach and it's littered with vet bill inducing dead things. Fortunately she showed no interest in them, but I know some dogs would have swallowed them whole in a micro second. Littlehaven is also the same as my brother and sister in law have just posted similar photos.

16/09/2023

How many of you can relate to this? 😂

06/09/2023

I'm now closed until 8am on the 12th of September. Texts, emails, voicemails etc will all be answered on my return. Thank you.

31/08/2023

Friendly reminder: it's almost that time of year again when I get a few dog free days to myself. I will close at 6pm on the 6th of September and reopen at 8am on the 12th of September. Thank you.

23/08/2023

Although it’s nearing the end of the Adder season (95% of local snake bite records are between 1st April and 4th September), I know a lot of people will be heading out this Bank Holiday weekend with their dogs, so a timely reminder.

Locally, the main areas of distribution (2016 survey) for the Adder (Vipera berus) are:

Northumberland
The main distribution is in the uplands from Hadrian’s Wall to the Kyloe Hills. There is a smaller area south of the Tyne Valley, in the Allendale and Devil’s Water fells area.

Durham
Adders are mainly found at mid-altitude moorland and afforested sites in County Durham. The range probably extends into Lunedale and the Greta. Hamsterley Forest provides the largest proportion of the records, over one third. The other main area is the heathland between the Derwent Reservoir and Tunstall Reservoir, now called the “Heart of Durham” by the Durham Wildlife Trust nature conservation project that has been surveying Adders and other wildlife here.
There is a small isolated population lower down the Derwent valley, at Gibside, but no records from the apparently more suitable Chopwell Woods. Another isolated population has been recorded at Hedleyhope Fell to the east of the A68. I’ve also heard that Waldridge Fell near Chester le Street has an Adder population.

Tees Valley and North Yorkshire
Adders are well distributed on the North Yorkshire moors, with many records from the Wentworth, Lockwood and Scaling Dam Reservoirs. Most of these records are from recent Northumbrian Water and Forestry Commission surveys. The North York Moors population is widespread.

Identification
Adders are up to 65cm long. Almost always have a dark zig zag down the back. Males are off white to light grey, females brown or light red-brown.
Grass snakes are up to 120cm long. Colour varies, often grey but sometimes grey green or light brown. Dark spots on back and bars on flanks may be present. Best key feature is yellow collar with black border on neck.
Slow worms, up to 50cm, brown or grey. Males may have small blue spots. Females and juveniles may have dark flanks. Juveniles may be silvery or gold above. Being lizards, they have eyelids.

First Aid
“Adder kits” are available to buy, but personally I think they seem expensive for what they contain. I’ll post the link so you can check the contents and make sure you have these items in your own dog first aid kit. But basically, get them to a vets asap.
https://www.adderpacks.com/

I have it on good authority that our nearest vet who holds stocks of anti venom is Orchard House vet (Hexham branch), although other emergency vets have access to anti venom which, I believe, is stored at Carlisle.

08/08/2023

I've noticed a lot of bees and wasps on the ground over the last couple of days. If your dog is unlucky enough to get stung, you can treat them at home by applying a thick paste of baking soda and water to the affected area, and ice helps to soothe the swelling.
Always contact your vet if they have been stung multiple times, show signs of an allergic reaction or have been stung in the mouth or throat.
I always carry Piriton tablets in my first aid kit, as one 4mg tablet brings the swelling right down in minutes. If you do decide to use an antihistamine, it has to have chlorphenamine maleate as the active ingredient for dogs, so either Piriton or Boots own brand which are slightly cheaper. Just don't tell the pharmacist it's for your dog or they'll most likely refuse to serve you.
https://www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-allergy-relief-4mg-tablets-chlorphenamine-maleate-30-tablets-6-years-10173502

28/07/2023

I had two new dogs in for their trial familiarisation session last week. Both passed with flying colours and will be staying later in the year. Meet Daisy the Cocker Spaniel and Pickles the Bassett Hound

27/07/2023

We had the delightful Sprocket staying last week. As per usual with this new phone, I had managed to smudge the lens with my dirty fingers so a lot of photos have had to go in the bin. Here he is with new bestie Star in his second most favourite place, Anna's seat, his first being on a chair under the dining table!

22/07/2023

I've just had a very unexpected and very emotional visit from Ruby and Scarlett's owners, Jane and Joe, to thank me for the past 11 years of boarding, daycare and walks.
It's always touching to hear how much people relied on my services, so I make no apologies for flooding my page with photos of both of them in happier times ###

20/07/2023

After a long battle with illness, Heaven gained a new angel today. Our hearts go out to Jane and family at this sad time. Losing a beloved part of the family is never easy, but losing two in the space of eight months is utterly heartbreaking. RIP Scarlett, Ruby will be waiting for you sweet girl 💔

10/07/2023

We said goodbye to our gorgeous Nell tonight. She gave us 13 years of madness that only Springer owners can relate to, but we wouldn't have swapped it for the world. Say Hi to Cassie for me ###

06/07/2023

Thursday night is Big Bud night, here he is melting in front of the tower fan last week. We'll see what he thinks of Star tonight, he loved Cassie so fingers crossed 🤞