The Dog's Blog

Another day another well.

How many more wells can there be?  What wells have we done so far? Tissington, Over Haddon, Monyash, Youlgrave, Litton. How many more can there be?  I am sure it was not this bad last year. At least we got let off having to go round the Bakewell ones. Master didn’t. He got dragged round but luckly we were left at home. Then last weekend we had to ‘do’ another set of gardens. This time over at Great Longstone which is about 10 mins from our peak district cottages.  At least we got a nice walk up to one of the houses outside the village which was doing afternoon teas – a must for mistress.  At last the weather is improving so we managed to get in a picnic at mistresses favourite picnic spot. It also happens to be a great spot for swallow chasing so we were a bit preoccupied with that but did pop back every now and then to check for any left over food.

A 'team' photo (including idiot brother)

There have been quite a few dogs staying at our dog friendly holiday cottages in the last few weeks. So we have had lots of friends to run around with and a few cottages where I could put on my ‘I am starved’ look and get away with it. One cottage was especially generous so I made sure I went round a few times a day. Don’t tell mistress. My current meagre rations might get cut back even more.

Master and mistress’s friends from Yorkshire came over to stay for a couple of days. You know the ones that are allergic to dogs!  The bad news is we got banned to the kitchen a few times in the evening but the good news is that we got taken for a couple of  decent walks. The first was a bit short but was through the newly opened Monsal Trail Tunnels which was different and the other was up in the Goyt valley were we have been a few times before.

I hate Gardens!

The Goyt valley was the bestest walk as we were let off our leads most of the day.  The only serious problem was with mistress and her friend. Between them they are even slower than mistress on her own. At least we got 4 sets of sandwiches we could get some leftovers from.

Me looking after master

So much for our promised walk yesterday. We were supposed to go from our peak district cottages over to Chatsworth for a nice walk and picnic. Its great over at Chatsworth at this time of year although we do seem to have to be on our leads more often than at other times of year. Something about breeding season and us chasing young birds etc – as IF. But master decided he was ill  stayed in bed all day (mistress thinks its had ‘Man flu’. Mistress could have taken us. But then maybe that wouldn’t have been such a good idea as we would have taken hours just to go a few 100 yards as she ‘stops to see the view’ so often its hardly any point moving. Master did get up about 7:00PM by which time of course it was too late to go out.  I must admit he did look a bit rough.  A bit like Smudge after a day with his duvet. No actually. Thinking about it.  Smudge just looks like that most of the time.

Me 'helping' with the clearing up

We did get a few fun hours in the sun helping mistress plant out her new bedding shrubs and played with the handyman while he was trying to paint the children’s swings etc but not really the same as going for a nice walk. At last it is getting warmer and I can laze in the courtyard.  We have a very very very big dog here this week. His name is Winston. He came last year but I don’t remember him being this big. We both keep a respectable distance from him – just in case.

Because master has been ill I have not been taken on any trips down town or out to any exciting building merchants etc. Hopefully he will be better soon and we can do the ‘bonding’ bit again.

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And all we get is water

Its been very hectic around here at our peak district cottages. Master is still installing carpets and generally being grumpy.  I have been able to help here and there and did manage to take him out a few times to get some materials he needed (not that he appreciated it).  He does tend to get a bit up tight when he is fitting carpet. Not sure why – it looks easy enough to me.

Me on a small bridge

Smudge of course has been soaking up the sympathy since he hurt his paw (serves him right). I did get some of the fall out from his ‘injury’ (he isn’t even limping – whenever I hurt myself I never get any sympathy) because he got taken to the vet, master remembered that we hadn’t had our yearly booster so I got dragged down to the vet by mistress. How unfair is that? Smudge hurts himself and I get an injection!

The River Derwent near Calver

Anyway it isn’t all doom and gloom we did get taken out for a walk. We started by walking up the River Derwent then through Calver (10 mins from Bolehill Cottages) and then up a steep hill (as usual mistress took ages) to the  top of Bramley Plantation where we were supposed to stop for lunch. Good!  I thought. On the last walk we didn’t do too bad for tit-bits. But oh no! We had to find somewhere with a ‘view’. Why? We are having lunch not admiring the landscape. So on we trudged for a few more miles until at last mistress found a spot that was suitable (with a view). We did get a few tit-bits from mistress but as usual nothing from master. The rest of the walk was all downhill so mistress managed to keep up.

We seem to have lost our marauding hoard of sheep. They seem to have disappeared across the road where they can’t get at us.  Just as well!  I was never very sure about them. They looked a bit vicious to me.

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Me at another GARDEN

I think I will howl if we get dragged round another garden.  Whats wrong with taking us for a walk in open fields? Lets face it there are plenty of beautiful spots to go for a walk that are only a few minutes away from our peak district cottages.  At least there we are allowed to run around off our leads. In a GARDEN we have to be on our leads and on our best behavior (which is very difficult for idiot brother). So why do we keep getting dragged to gardens? Because mistress likes them.  Not sure about master! I think he just goes along for an easy life. Anyway on Wednesday we got dragged off in the CAR to Consall Hall Gardens.   I suppose it wasn’t too bad as at  least we had a long walk around the miles of footpaths and tracks.  Lunch as usual was a total wash out – not even a crumb.

Consall Gardens

I think idiot brother has given up on ever getting fed at lunch time.  He just curls up and goes to sleep.  Me -  I stay alert and ready. Just in case!

In the evening I was allowed to show of my cow herding skills again as master and mistress helped to get the milk cows in for the farm opposite.  This is great fun and no idiot brother. He has to be left at home as he is scared of cows.  I have no problem with the cows.  They know who is boss.  Master does seem to get a bit irate with me when I try and nip them to get them moving, but I am sure I have heard somewhere that is what you are supposed to do.  I do admit I might be just a little bit over enthusiastic at times but it is only because I am trying to help.

I found this add

In My-Home dog sitting

Dont leave your dog "bored" in a kennel let her stay in my home while your away.

Im my home dog sitting includes services like walking your dog, sitting with her by the fire, and feeding her own brand of dog food on your schedule. I also properly medicate animals who need oral, topical or injectable daily medications.

please call with any questions and to set up an appointment and a visit to my home.

all dogs must be dog friendly and current with vaccinationsincluding DHLPP, Bordetella and Rabies. All dog must have veterinarian approved flea prevention applied.

WHAT DO YA THINK?? SHOULD I CALL HER…..

Worth a shot. Do ask for references, proof of liability insurance, and ask if she takes other dogs at the same time, or just one family’s at a time. My dog’s massage therapist does this. She takes only two at a time, they are treated like her own pets, and her rates are great as well. She does have insurance and a license for the business and uses contracts. Make sure this person does likewise for your protection.

My wife and I will be holidaying near Welshpool in September with our two dogs. Any details of dog friendly pubs/gardens etc would be appreciated. Also, places where dogs can be walked off-the-lead, we particularly like woodland walks. Cheers!

Have you tried the Dogs Trust website? They have a section on dog friendly venues which might help you. They are split into sections and you can check by area. Could also try the book ‘Good Guide to Dog Friendly Pubs, Hotels and B and Bs’ published by Edbury Press which will help with pubs and beer gardens. Tried to check for you but not sure where Welshpool is! Sorry!
Hope this helps! Enjoy your holiday!

www.dogstrust.org.uk

www.goodguides.co.uk

I’m looking for the above for a family camping holiday (tent not caravan) in August. Any recommendations would be fab. A campsite with a kids play area would be marvelous!!

dorset has a family friendly one dont know if they allow dogs its on a beach dont know if near train station

HERSTON CARAVAN AND CAMP SITE

http://www.bolehillfarm.co.uk – One of our 8 Peak District Cottages.

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http://www.bolehillfarm.co.uk – One of our 8 Peak District Cottages.

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Technorati Tags: bakewell, Cottages, Derbyshire, district, peak

Does anybody know of a dog friendly Inn/Hotel on the Beach in Dorset which they would recommend for a weeks holiday?

Try to get the Daily Mail for Saturday lst March. There are lots of hotels listed which will take dogs. Or get one of the dog magazines, they have lists.