The summer season is in full swing, and it's been a rather wet one, at least here in Suffolk.
We have been doing up my rattley but loved 22-year-old Ford Focus Estate to go car camping in! We already have a tent and all the camping gear, but that takes lots of packing and planning, and I am lazy when I am on holiday. I’ve always dreamed of owning a campervan, but that is a long way off in today’s financial climate. But, in true British style, we make do.
My car now has curtains (truly!), and bedding, and internal lights along with essentials like wash things and coffee facilities. Having the car ready to go will mean we can be a lot more spontaneous. I plan to bring Twyla with me on a camping trip in the car after a few tests. She’ll love it!
However, lots of other people are having their holidays, and for some people, with anxious dogs, it can be hard to find someone experienced enough to look after them. So, a while back I announced our new dogsitting service, which has been going really well.
We only have a few gaps left this year so do get in touch if this is something you are considering!
I hear some absolute waffle sometimes, about our dogs. Often, people hear things, and are simply doing their best by their dogs, but do not know why they do certain things.
Well, here am I, telling you that half the silly things people do are completely unnecessary.
Grab your copy, and get helping the dog in your life to overcome their struggles.
Spotted and sharing.
Bone Canis shared this brilliant post on Facebook:
”What is a ‘sociable’ dog?
A sociable dog is not one that will simply play with every dog they see - they are a dog that can be in the presence of other dogs in a calm way. A sociable dog is not always a ‘friendly’ dog either, they are one that chooses to not react when around other dogs, so long as the other dogs leave them alone.
Play is important of course, but more important is having a dog that is able to ‘just be’ around other dogs in a calm way, as some dogs are over-enthusiastic and some are reactive if other dogs rush-up.
We definitely should never ‘let them get on with it’. Just think about that; should we let a Great Dane rush up to play with a Chihuahua? Of course not, one overly-friendly paw from the Dane onto the Chihuahua’s back, and it’s likely to be 'game-over' for the little fella….
So, in order to get a sociable dog, we may need to manage the environment for them to help them succeed in being calm around dogs in general - take time to allow them all to settle and relax, and don’t allow any non-consensual play or high-energy games to start with (and only then with dogs of a similar character). More often than not, it’s the initial meeting that sparks confrontation, so watch the dog’s body language and manage them for their best possible outing.”
, a fellow Substacker who is well worth a subscribe, wrote a stunning article this week about the emotions behind fostering dogs, which made me shed huge great tears. I had never thought about the process in this way before. I now have even more respect for those who open their homes and hearts to dogs.
My other posts - because I write about other stuff too!
On my other Substack, Mum's Midlife Crisis, I discovered a writer with a brilliant idea for his book launch. I'm open to suggestions for getting my second book out there, so I'm keeping an eye on
