By My Side

15/08/2024

08/08/2024

I truly believe that if Steve Irwin were alive today, he would have a dedicated group of people who hated him for how he treated animals.

Steve always treated every species he worked with, as the species they were, not forcing them to change their nature.

More and more I find myself trying to convince people to "let the dog go outside, it's okay if they get a little dirty" or "your snake is arboreal and can't just be confined to a small tub." Or "Your working breed dog is not happy being still and lazy in your one bedroom apartment with nothing to keep them active and thinking."

It seems in this next generation of animal husbandry, we're deciding that all animals are now going to become (and be treated as) our little babies.

Now, is it okay to refer to your furry, feathered, scaly friend as such? Of course!
Is it okay to treat them as human babies...absolutely not at all.

As we see this change taking place, so to do we see more and more stressed out animals. Ones with a lack of structure and mental enrichment...but tons and tons of random toys and bags of treats.

What Steve Irwin did is create an environment that was enriching for the animals he had. Not attempt to force the animals to adjust to his environment.

Taking your Border Collie or herding, working, hunting, breed on a 10 minute walk (as long as you remember, it's not raining or just not feeling upto it) once a day, is not cutting it.

Locking your pyrenees or Shepherd breed in a kennel all day and then keeping'em in a small apartment, but still expecting the dog to be still and always cuddling...not cutting it.

Keeping your African grey parrot in a small enclosure with a few items that you've not replaced...is not cutting it.

When you bring an animal into your life. It is so important to understand what that animal is and have a structured enrichment routine and appropriate setup for the breed/species before you take in the animal.

Anything less than what your animal needs is a disservice to your best friend.

Be kind to your animals, enrich their lives (in a way that's appropriate for them). Keep them thinking. Keep them exploring. Give them understanding and structure and you will keep them happy.

26/07/2024

** Edit - original rescue has been informed but unfortunately they are very short of adopters **

Hi everyone. A dear friend has to rehomed her dog with much sadness. The lucky candidate will be vetted thoroughly. She is a very sweet dog and anyone would be privileged to own her. Here’s some info on Nessa from the owner………………

Nessa, age 12,
(Hungarian Kuvasz mix?) rescue from Romania

She is on HRT for dribbling (Incurin)

She is full of energy and fun. Needs peace and quiet when she’s sleeping, as she’s had some trauma. So maybe not round young kids.

Any questions please ask or happy for folk to meet her.
🙏🏻

Xx

22/06/2024

𝔸ℝ𝕋 𝔸𝕋 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔾ℝ𝔸ℕ𝔸ℝ𝕐, Strathaven

This coming Saturday and Sunday! Local artists exhibit their work at 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔾ℝ𝔸ℕ𝔸ℝ𝕐 Strathaven Town Mill Arts and Heritage Centre Come and see paintings, prints, jewellery, greetings cards etc and have a chat with the exhibitors while you have a cuppa!

26/04/2024

2nd walk of the day with Our Duke

26/04/2024

First walk of the morning with Hugo n Callise

15/02/2024

Anyone any space for two dogs 6-11 March?

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines Day everyone ❤️🐾

26/12/2023

Bella and some of her pals would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎄🎅🏻🎉🍻🍾🐾

13/12/2023

Busy times 🐾 great fun 🐾

06/12/2023

Hi. Please send a message if you want any information 🐾

06/12/2023

Can anyone help?

19/11/2023

How cute is this lot ❤️ xx

26/10/2023

🤣

26/09/2023

Hi, I can’t see the messages on my page. Not sure why so apologies if I haven’t replied. Please either send me another message or respond to this post and I’ll be in touch. Val x

26/08/2023

Happy National Dog Day. Love them doggies ❤️🐾

16/08/2023

Busy day today

16/08/2023

By My Side has some space for group walks or earlier solo walks. Please get in touch as these will go fast. 07876 373 437

22/07/2023

This is how we role. Proper home from home service for these two 🥰🐾

18/07/2023

Wow incredible 🤩

922.4K likes, 12.4K comments. “WOW 😳 Almost lost for words! HOW did she train that dog so well?!?!”

01/07/2023

Wow so powerfully moving ❤️❤️❤️

For ✨

I didn’t know how to illustrate such a moving moment, but I think the message shared so loudly was that he wasn’t alone.

You’re never alone xx

25/05/2023

Always good to have some knowledge - Just incase 🐾

with How to give CPR to your pets! I did this in one take and tried to include everything, so any questions put them in the comments 💜