Happy Pet, Happy Home, NI

08/09/2024

Last week's guests, visitors, and pop-ins 💙🐾

Peaches went home, and Bobby was lost without her! So we got him over walking with big Murphy for some company.

Todd went home, and I was lost without him 😂 but thankfully wee Alfie arrived the next day for his holidays so I have had his constant company and companionship, will miss him when he goes home tomorrow 😭

Two wee pups again this week - Gus came over for the afternoon and melted our hearts. And wee Zia had a few pet checks with her sister Abbie. Zia also got out for a short walk, loving the leaves blowing about, Autumn is coming 🍂🍁🌿🍃

And we had time for a couple of meet & greet / trial visits for the beautiful Nala and the cute little Lucy.

Twas a lovely week, great company from the dogs as always 💙🐾

03/09/2024

This is so important! Dogs communicate with us all the time, with their body language, their sounds, their eye movements...

We always make sure to take everything slow at Meet & Greets, and on trials, and on the first holiday with us, and with every holiday thereafter - we are always supervising the dogs when they are together, we make sure they get space if they need it, we watch them and get to know them and listen to them. And by doing that, we can tailor the safe space to suit them, we can adapt the company so they feel at ease, we can structure their day so they are comfortable and content.

Every dog is different, we just need to learn their likes, dislikes, quirks, characteristics and give them a happy and safe space to suit them. It's why we like low numbers, so none of them are overwhelmed and so we can pay attention to them all to make sure they are getting what they need and doing what makes them happy 🫶🏻

GIFT OF THE GROWL

Not all growling is a sign that a dog’s unhappy. Some growls may be part of a particular play style, seeking attention, from frustration, excitement or other reasons. They may all sound a little different and may be unique to that particular dog.

This post is not about different types of growls, but about reactive, aggressive or early warning growls.

When a dog growls, especially when it’s directed at us, our natural human response is to feel offended and maybe even angry.

Surely dogs need to learn not to growl, growling is bad, it’s not acceptable, it’s a problem that needs to be stopped or punished so a dog learns that it’s wrong, disrespectful and unacceptable, right?

This couldn’t be further from the truth! A dog that growls has just provided us with very valuable information.

In their way, they have just told us how they feel about a situation without escalating to a bite.

Dogs use growling in an attempt to avoid having to resort to biting, not to initiate it. They could just as easily not have even bothered to growl and gone straight to a bite.

A dog that growls is trying to communicate how they feel. Ignoring or punishment only suppresses this communication. Punishment increases fear, anxiety and stress.

A dog that bites without the warning of a growl is a far more serious problem than a dog that growls but doesn’t bite.

Look for any other early warning signals that may precede a growl. Learn to recognise body language and specific situations that trigger it.

Be grateful for the gift of a growl – this is a non-violent early warning signal that we need to acknowledge, understand and respect.

It's a gift of clear communication that allows us to intervene, advocate and prevent escalation to a bite.

30/08/2024

This week's Canine Company for our wee crew 💙🐾

Peaches the golden retriever is still staying with us, she is such a big dote, and so content and comfortable here it's unreal. Her nan has called to visit a couple of times and had a lovely welcome, I can't wait to see Peaches and her mum and dad reunite in a couple of days, it will be slightly emotional methinks!

Miss Marley the cockapoo stayed last weekend, not her first time with us, follow her little adventures on , she is a wee treasure, full of tricks and loved the company.

Big Todd the black lab has arrived today for this weekend, he is the biggest suck, sits on my knee like a lap dog, such a big goofball and having fun with Peaches and Bobby. I don't think I'll be able to leave his sight for a second 👀

Rafa came to visit for an afternoon, our usual lovely little daycare session with the cute wee cavachon.

Gus the 3 month old Bernese Mountain Dog came to visit for an hour for a quick trial before his upcoming holiday with us, he is an absolute dream, like something out of a movie 🫶🏻

We had our usual weekly visits to Murphy the lab cross, and Thor the French Bulldog, blue skies and colourful flowers and nice to dodge the rain showers! And we had a check in with little Zia, the Viszla pup, and her sister Abbie who is too cute for words.

All in all a good week, not too busy, just a nice mixture - hard to think of it as work when it's all so enjoyable!

I've had a big influx of messages as a couple of home boarders closed and recommended me - I'm always happy to receive messages and enquiries, but at the moment we are pretty booked up with repeat regulars, and very grateful to be in this position. If I can help I will, if I can't I can make suggestions for others 💙

29/08/2024

Happy 11th wedding anniversary Johnboy 🥂

We'll be celebrating next week as we've no time today! Typical day in our lives at the moment - tag-teaming to get kids and dogs sorted, planning pet checks and visits around school drop offs and pick ups, and finding our feet with 2 different schools for the first time (and no school buses this week 🤦🏼‍♀️) and sadly a funeral to go to today as well.

We have the lovely Peaches staying with us, Bobby's bestie, can't believe she goes home in a few days, we are all really going to miss her. She's just so content and settled, part of the family 🫶🏻 her and Bobby got out for their first walk this morning and we'll get another wee venture out later.

Visit to handsome Murphy, Bobby's other bestie, we are looking forward to his stay with us next month. And a pet check for for Zia and Abbie, beautiful little Zia is starting to get a short walk and is doing wonderfully with her loose lead, her mum is doing a fantastic job!

We also had a visit this morning from gorgeous little Gus, a 3 month old Bernese Mountain Dog who will be holidaying with us next month. Gus is lovely, nice and content and although he's a typical bouncy pup, because he's so big his bounces seem a bit more slow and placid, if that makes sense! He had a quick introduction to Bobby and Lola while Peaches was out for a walk with her nan, all went OK and John managed to get some puppy love when he came home from the funeral, which is a nice way to be cheered up 🥰.

Life in our house, revolving around kids and dogs, managing the unexpected events and keeping all the plates spinning! And somewhere down the list planning an anniversary meal for sometime in the future 😂 life of a home boarder 🏡🐶💙🐾

28/08/2024

Dog missing in Dunadry, please keep an eye out if you live in the area 🙏

Sadly found this morning 🌈😞

‼️‼️MISSING‼️‼️
Please share this post

Bailey has gone missing from the Dunadry area
He’s is the softest big lad who is clocking up the years rightly so he needs to be home & dry
All usual search routes haven’t turned up any clues & he hasn’t been handed in to any vets/rescues/dog warden that we know of.
Bailey is microchipped & has his contact details on his collar.
Please could anyone local check garages/sheds/outbuildings.
If you know someone who lives in Dunadry could you please contact them & ask them to check their property
Let’s get Bailey home
🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾

26/08/2024

Happy International Dog's Day from Bobby and Lola 💙🐾

These two are so different and yet so bonded in their own wee way, they do us proud every day welcoming our guests and visitors into our home - all those wee nervous pups over the past 18 months who have got to know and love Bobby and Lola, and have grown in confidence and got comfortable with the company of other dogs.

We are very lucky today to have the company of beautiful Peaches and gorgeous Miss Marley, both brilliant wee dogs and getting on great with our own two. Always loving life when it involves the company of dogs 🐾

23/08/2024

What a mix of weather this week!

We've had a lovely week with the gorgeous Peaches staying with us, Bobby's bestie, they are joined at the hip and so content with each other. Lola loves getting up to snooze beside her too, she gets a nice chilled vibe from her!

Ruby and wee Daisy went home, we miss the snores 💤. Mighty Little Max stopped over for a night and entertained us with his teefy smiles 😁.

And we had some lovely visits to Thor, Murphy, Ollie, Lola & Ziggy and wee Arthur the cat 🐾

23/08/2024

Give the Charity Dog Show NI page a wee follow for updates, less than a couple months until the big day, all raising money for fantastic cause 💙🐾

FAQs!!

When is the dog show?
October 13th

Where is the dog show?
LaurelView Equestrian
Knowehead Road, Templepatrick.

What time do the classes start?
1.30pm

Is it indoors?
Yes!! We’re not trusting the weather!!

When do entries open?
Online entries will open in October but we’ll also be taking entries on the day.

My dog wears a muzzle, can they still come?
Absolutely. As long as you are confident your dog will be happy in the arena surrounded by others & not overwhelmed. Some breeds have to wear them due to legistration & that’s fine.

My dog prefers being off lead is that ok?
All dogs need to be kept on lead with no exceptions.

Can I advertise my business on the day?
Weve had amazing support from businesses who have paid for stalls & have sponsored the day. These are the guys who will be advertising on the day only. We ask any other business to just come along, join in the fun but respect the ones who have paid to be there.
At the moment all stalls have been allocated but we still have availability for sponsorship

Can we bring the family?
Yes- make it a day out!! There’ll be snacks!!

We only have a family pet & he’s not really a show dog. Can we still come along?
100%. It’s a charity show not Crufts!! You just never know who will catch the judges eye 😍

Do you have classes for cats?!
No Nikita, we don’t 🫣🤣

🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾

22/08/2024

Saw these breed keyrings advertised and I'm a sucker for any kind of dog related item for sale, especially when they are this cute! (Poor Bobby and Lola thought I was making them pose for treats, Bobby may have tried to eat his 🙈 but it is now safe and sound)

Check out Kenny's Handmade Felt Keyrings on Facebook to order, not an ad or anything I just think they are wild cute 😍

17/08/2024

This week's crew - Bobby and his Ladies 🫶🏻

He's like Hugh Hefner again this week, surrounded by the girls, we'll need to get Bobby and Murphy out together next week to give him a wee lads day out!

Chester went home, Bailey went home, Rosie went home. Dixie stopped over for a quick visit. Daisy and Ruby arrived, Peaches arrived, and we got a couple of pet checks in with Zia, Abbie and big Murphy man.

Feel like I'm on catch up, have some posts to get done and some messages to get back to. I wasn't feeling great all week so have been happy to enjoy the garden and some short walks with the dogs, Chloe was away on holiday with her mate so I've been glad of the doggy company at home as have missed her chitter chatter!

Our busy season is over and we're back to normal now, thank goodness, getting kids ready for back to school and back into a routine - for them and for us. Love the summer season (although wish we'd had more of a sunshine summer) but it's also exhausting so I'm looking forward to normality resuming and getting my life back a bit!

16/08/2024

This is so sad 😢

Rescues are struggling, they need donations, they need volunteer help, they need support. Most of all, they need people getting a dog to think long term, for the duration of the dog's life - if you have a dog, or are thinking of getting a puppy or rehoming a dog, invest your time and love and energy into your dog. Please don't give it up because it no longer fits your lifestyle - before you get a dog realise that at some stage during that dog's life, circumstances will change, it's inevitable, nothing stays the same and life throws us curveballs!

We read it all the time, that circumstances have changed and the beloved family pet sadly needs rehomed. No judgment as people obviously feel desperate to be in that situation. But these poor wee dogs, they are part of the family. They'd be by their owners side through thick and thin given the chance, because dogs are so loyal.

Life doesn't stay the same, there are things beyond our control that change all the time - before you get a dog, prepare to do whatever it takes to look after your dog if/when life changes. Rescues and rehoming should be a last resort in extreme circumstances, not a back up plan for when life unexpectedly gets harder.

12/08/2024

Happy to sponsor the Charity Dog Show again this year, it was such a great day last year, any other businesses willing and able to sponsor get in touch with Claire at K9 Walker - it's all going to animal charities 💙

Grin would like to say a big THANK YOU!!!!
to everyone who has sponsored the show so far!

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support already shown.
Hopefully I’ve managed to add everyone to list list below but please drop me a PM if I’ve missed anyone!!
* this list is just for sponsors & show supporters…. Stall holders will be announced nearer to the event! 😁

Dewberry Portraits Ltd
Oldwood Boarding Kennels
Paws 4 Thought Pet Services
DogGrooming Antrim
Adventure Tails NI
Ruff Days
Precious Petsitting
BARK-elicious Bakes
Happy Pet, Happy Home, NI
Adventure Awaits
Barnabys Happy Healthy Pets
All About Enrichment
Happy Tails Dog Grooming Templepatrick
Aromafield
CalmReLeaf
Finnessiam Health
Happy Home Dog Grooming
Lost Paws NI - Lost and Found Pets
Laurel View Equestrian Centre
The Pawsitive Place
Beechill Pet Supplies
Zola
Reggie & Bruno

🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾

09/08/2024

We got a few adventure walks in this week, saw a glimmer of blue sky, and generally just had lovely company with our gorgeous doggy pals.

Murphy, Peaches, Ollie, Ziggy & Lola, Abbie & Zia for pet checks 🐾

Chester, Rosie, Bailey, Rafa and Dixie for sleepovers throughout the week 💙

And of course our own two crazies Bobby & Lola 🫶🏻

07/08/2024

We have a lot of new followers since we first introduced ourselves last year, so here is a quick hello and what you need to know!

Our Instagram is the best place to see our videos, photos and stories - click on this link to follow:
https://www.instagram.com/happypet.happyhome

(There are also some reviews in the highlights and check out our videos of our previous guests!)

Why would your pet be happy in our home? 🐶🏡💙

✳️ We love dogs. We have our own shih-tzu and cocker spaniel, and we love other dogs coming to visit. We treat them like they're part of our family, lots of cuddles and all the home comforts

✳️ Our back garden is fully secure and we only ever walk your dog on lead to be safe

✳️ Our house revolves around dogs, we have dog treats galore, dog beds everywhere, dog toys, enrichment toys like kongs, snuffle mats, puzzle toys, licki mats, tunnels...

✳️ I get the dog-mum guilt of leaving them, I've cried leaving my dogs, I've worried while on holiday, I've struggled to find a suitable home-from-home, the worry over their safety and happiness - I get it! And I will do my best to ease your worry about your dog while you are away

✳️ I'll send you pupdates, photos and videos, so you know your doggo is having fun and is happy

✳️ I grew up around dogs - big, small, old, young, disabled. My own shihtzu has had knee surgery and also a tumour removal, after which I needed to tube feed her. I've given dogs medication. I've kept dogs in crate rest under vet advice, I'm experienced in dog care

✳️ I'm fussy and I know my limits. I only accept family-friendly dogs. My house is clean, tidy and dog-proofed. I will worry about your dog's wellbeing the same way you would, I will keep it safe and happy. My house and your dog will never be overwhelmed with dogs because we have very limited availability

✳️ I genuinely care about your dog's welfare, it's health, its nutrition. I'll keep it in its same routine, on its same diet, ready for you coming home

✳️ I am fully insured and have Animal First Aid and Animal Care Certification, and my study continues so I can provide the best possible care for the dogs

✳️ You can trust me. Aside from my love of dogs, I have Enhanced Access NI Clearance through my volunteer work, I am medically retired from emergency services, I am trustworthy and reliable

✳️ NI isn't yet licensing home boarding so I comply with all the DEFRA English licensing requirements (happy to show you my 22 page checklist!)