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Wild Dog Botanicals, Barnstaple (2026)

22/02/2026

🐍 Shedding Into Strength
We are still in the Year of the Snake.
A year not of noise — but of refinement.
Not of spectacle — but of shedding.
The year 2025 began with expansion for me.
A larger space.
A deeper responsibility.
A stretching of capacity.
And as often happens with growth, it revealed everything.
What was aligned.
What was not.
What needed to fall away.
Snake energy teaches discernment.
It teaches quiet observation.
It teaches that sometimes strength looks like stillness —
and shedding happens without announcement.
There were layers that had to loosen.
Old dynamics.
Old pressures.
Old ways of holding things together.
And as the year moved on, something shifted.
Not dramatically.
But steadily.
The right people.
The right rhythm.
A renewed sense of direction.
Over the last few months, I’ve felt the forward movement returning —
not from urgency,
but from alignment.
Snake has been preparing the ground.
And somewhere in the distance, I can feel the Horse waiting —
not yet running,
but ready.
When that energy arrives, it won’t be fuelled by defence.

It will be led by heart.
For now, I honour the shedding.
Because strength built quietly
lasts.

Are you feeling the shift yet?

31/01/2026

True Integrity in Holistic Canine Work
There is something quietly sacred about working with dogs in a holistic way.
When we step into the worlds of herbs, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, nutrition, and energy, we are no longer simply “providing a service.” We are being invited into the inner landscapes of living beings who cannot speak for themselves in words, but who communicate everything through their bodies, their behaviour, and their subtle cues.

That kind of work requires more than knowledge.
It requires integrity.
True integrity in holistic canine care is not something that can be learned from a course, a certificate, or a marketing strategy. It is something that shows up in how we treat people when no one is watching, how we honour the source of our knowledge, and how we hold ourselves when opportunity knocks.

In recent years, the world of canine wellness has grown rapidly. More people are becoming interested in natural approaches, emotional health, plant medicine, and deeper connection with their dogs. This is beautiful — and it is long overdue. But growth also brings something else with it: the temptation to package, brand, and perform “holism” without truly living it.
Dogs, however, are never fooled by performance.

A dog knows when something is congruent. They know when a person’s nervous system is settled, when their intentions are clear, and when their presence is genuine. You can’t fake your way into a dog’s trust — and you can’t fake integrity in a space that asks for such deep listening.

In holistic work, integrity looks like honesty about what we can and cannot offer. It looks like giving credit where it is due. It looks like collaboration that is rooted in mutual respect, not personal gain. And it looks like understanding that just because something is possible does not always mean it is aligned.

True practitioners do not rush. They do not force outcomes. They do not promise miracles. They walk alongside dogs and their guardians, trusting the slow intelligence of the body and the wisdom of nature.
This is especially true in fields such as herbal self-selection and botanical work, where the animals themselves are often the ones doing the choosing. Here, we are not in control — we are facilitators, witnesses, and guardians of a process that belongs to the dog.
Integrity means not bending that process to fit an agenda.
It means not using beautiful language to mask shallow practice.
It means remembering that every dog who walks through our doors brings with them a story, a nervous system, and a lifetime of experiences — and that deserves to be met with humility.

In a world that often rewards visibility over depth, it can be tempting to seek validation through platforms, events, and recognition. But the truest measure of our work will never be how many people are watching. It will always be how the dogs respond.
Do they soften?
Do they relax?
Do they feel safe enough to show us who they really are?
That is where integrity lives.

And when we choose to work from that place — even when it is slower, quieter, and less glamorous — we are honouring not only the dogs, but the medicine itself.

26/01/2026

🌟Root & Restore - Founder's Circle with Wise Dog Botanicals 🌟

I'm quietly opening something close to my heart.....

Alongside running Nellie’s Nibbles, I also work with dogs through Wise Dog Botanicals — offering gentle botanical self-selection and calm, restorative sessions that support our dogs needs.
I studied this beautiful practice and qualified back in 2023 after realising the profound difference to my own dogs

I received my training through a UK rural governing body, under the guidance of a qualified medicinal herbal practitioner

Root & Restore is a gentle, guided calm experience for dogs and their guardian, created to support and reset the nervous system - for both guardian and dog.
In a world that is constantly busy, noisy and demanding, our bodies and our dogs spend far to much time in a state of alert. Over time, this builds stress, tension and emotional overload, even in our dogs who seem outwardly "fine."
When we slow down together in a calm, shared space, something powerful happens.
Dogs naturally begin to mirror the energy around them, and we do the same.

Breathing softens, bodies settle. The nervous system begins to switch out of busy, fraught and high alert to safe, calm & at peace.
This is where healing, balance and true rest can begin
During each session, your dogs will be invited to explore a small selection of calming and restorative botanicals through self selection.
As they sniff, pause and move between botanicals, I'll be quietly guiding you in what to look for - the tiny changes that tell us how a dog is really feeling. These aren't always noticeable, they might be softening of the eyes, a lip lick, or a subtle muscle release.

Learning to see these small signals deepens your connection with your dog and helps you better understand how their body is processing and releasing stress.

After this gentle exploration, we'll settle down on to our Pilates/Yoga mats, with our dogs resting on their own blanket or bed beside us. In this softly held space, I'll guide you in to a period of deep rest while a gentle Tibetan meditation plays quietly.
This allows both human and dogs nervous systems to fully soften and integrate what has just been released, bringing the body back into balance and calm.
When the meditation comes to a close, we'll gently awaken and share a herbal tea together, giving us a few quiet reflective moments to notice how we and our dogs feel and to reflect what we've observed, without pressure and without it becoming a therapy session.

This is not training and it's not therapy - its a gentle collaboration of deep, meaningful calm energy between you and your dog.

To protect the calm and safety of the space. Root & Restore groups area always kept small, with a maximum of four dogs and their dog-guardians pairs and a min of three to run

For the first opening I'm offering a Founder's Circle - a small, consistent group so energy stays calm, safe and beautifully held.

🌿Just 4 dog - guardian pairs
🌿Fortnightly sessions in my upstairs studio
🌿A calm, settled group (this group is for dogs who are comfortable resting quietly around others)

This group space is designed for dogs who are comfortable settling quietly in the presence of other dogs and people. To keep the environment calm and supportive for everyone. Root & Restore group sessions aren't suitable for dogs who are feeling anxious, reactive, or easily overstimulated in shared spaces.
For these dogs, I offer one-one session, of which you can find more about at the bottom of this post.

DATES:
📅Wednesday 26th February, 2-3.15pm
📅Wednesday 12th March 2-3.15pm (continuing fortnightly for four sessions in total)

Founders rate: £80 for the full 8 - week circle (4 sessions)

This special Founder's price is a one-time thank-you for the very first group who step into this space with me.
If this feels like something you and your dog would love, just pop me a message to reserve your spot.

If you have a dog that isn't able to be in a room with other dogs, I also offer Root & Restore one-one sessions- the same calm, botanical and guided support, but in a private setting just for you and your dog.
These are booked separately and are priced differently - just message me if you'd like to explore this option.

What to bring:
🫶 Your own yoga or Pilates mat & blanket
🐾 Your dog's blanket or bed to lie on
💚 Anything that helps you feel comfortable & relaxed

02/01/2026

🌕 The Wolf Moon | A Wise Dog Botanicals Reflection 🌿

The Wolf Moon rises in the quiet heart of winter, a time when the world slows and listens. Named for the wolves who once howled beneath its light, this moon speaks of instinct, connection, and ancient knowing—the very language our dogs still carry so naturally.
For Wise Dog Botanicals, the Wolf Moon is a reminder of the deep wisdom animals hold within them. Wolves, like dogs, are guided not by overthinking but by felt sense—trusting their bodies, their intuition, and the rhythms of nature. Under this moon, we are invited to honour that same wisdom in our dogs and in ourselves.
This moon supports themes of grounding, resilience, and inner guidance. It encourages us to pause, observe, and tune in—especially when the world feels noisy or demanding. In botanical self-selection, this mirrors the moment we step back and allow a dog to choose what they need, guided by instinct rather than instruction.
The Wolf Moon also speaks of belonging and bond. Wolves howl not from loneliness, but connection—calling to their pack, strengthening ties across distance. In the same way, our relationship with our dogs is a shared language of trust, presence, and mutual understanding.
As the Wolf Moon illuminates the winter sky, it gently reminds us that healing does not always rush forward. Sometimes it moves quietly, beneath the surface—rooting, restoring, and preparing for what is yet to come.
May this moon guide you to listen more deeply, trust more fully, and walk alongside your dog with reverence for the wisdom you both hold.

30/12/2025

Hedera helix and Hedera hibernica
Ivy
Common name English Ivy
Not to be confused with Boston Ivy and Poison Ivy
Clingy, luscious and misunderstood
Ivy, accused by some gardeners to strangle trees, but it doesn't harm trees at all.
It's known to support 50+ species of wildlife
Flowers Sept - November

This Ivy provides food to many wildlife species in the nectar, pollen and berries.

Every year I watch the wild bees gather for the pollen, followed by butterfly's and Hover flys feeding from the nectar, then come the birds eating the berries.

There is a high fat content from the berries, nutritious for birds in winter
I witness every year, Black birds, Thrushes and Wood Pigeons feeding

Did you know English Ivy can replace your clothes detergent because it contains natural saponins, soap like compounds.
Its wonderful, and adds a gorgeous natural, subtle scent not to dissimilar to pine trees.

Don't be too judgemental on Ivy, it gets a hard rap but is so much more

25/12/2025

I just wanted to gently pop on and say thank you for your patience during a quieter spell here. Like so many of us, I’ve been juggling a lot of moving parts in life, and at times that can pull focus in many directions at once.
Over recent months, I’ve been consciously leaning into the areas of life that bring me the most inner peace and the kind of excitement that feels calm, aligned, and nourishing rather than rushed. Sometimes it takes a little stepping back to really listen, to breathe, and to work out what truly deserves our energy — and I’ve come to realise that this is not only okay, it’s necessary.
Life can feel full-on from every angle these days, and learning to prioritise, soften, and reconnect is part of the journey.
Behind the scenes, Wise Dog Botanicals is quietly growing. My ideas are flowing, my heart feels full, and I’m feeling more connected than ever to what this space truly wants to become. I’ve always been led by my heart here — and that’s exactly where I’ll continue to lead from.
2026 feels like a beautiful turning point. A year of sharing more, opening up, and bringing forward so many offerings and stories that have been gently forming for some time now.
Thank you for being here, for your understanding, and for walking this path alongside me 🌿
Happy Festive season ✨️
With warmth,
Jo

11/08/2025

🌿Important Workshop Update 🌿
I've made a difficult decision to postpone my upcoming Botanicals for canines workshop.
With this heatwave forecast, the seminar room will simply be too hot for our demo dog to be comfortable - and their well-being comes first 🐾
This workshop is something I'm passionate about sharing with you, so rather than pushing on in uncomfortable conditions, I'll be rescheduling to a cooler month, when everyone - human & canine can enjoy it fully.
NEW date coming soon! 📆
If you were planning to join us, keep an eye out for the announcement so you can grab your spot.
Thank you for understanding - I promise it will be worth the wait 🌞

09/08/2025

✨️ Are you curious about how herbs can help you dog? ✨️

Join me Jo, an innate botanical practitioner for a calming, two hour workshop where we'll explore how dogs naturally select the botanical they need.

Whether it's for emotional stress, grief, anxiety, pain, skin issues, or gut problems, to mention just a few - nature offers support if we know how to listen and observe.

You'll learn what herbs support the everyday needs in our dogs' lives and how to observe your dogs responses & signals to a few carefully selected herbs and essential oils.

I'll guide you through a gentle introduction into this fascinating world of canine self-selection

I look forward to sharing with you this magical world of interconnection between dogs and plants 💚

🌱

06/08/2025

🌿✨ Forever a Student of the Animals ✨🐾

As many of you know, Wise Dog Botanicals was born from a deep-rooted respect for the natural wisdom our dogs hold. Nellies Nibbles Dog Larder followed a place built from love, species-appropriate nutrition, and a belief that our dogs thrive when we truly listen to what they need.

But listening isn’t always with our ears.

Lately, I’ve felt a gentle tug — a curiosity that’s grown louder — calling me towards animal communication.
Not just through behaviour, nutrition, or scent... but through stillness, presence, and energy. A quieter kind of knowing.

So I’ve decided to honour that nudge and begin learning and studying more.
To deepen my connection with the very animals I serve. Because the more I open myself to learning, the more I realise: they are always communicating.
We just have to tune in.

This journey is completely in alignment with everything Wise Dog Botanicals and Nellies Nibbles Dog Larder stands for: trust, intuition, partnership, and listening to the animal in front of us

03/08/2025

Join me for this little workshop on how we can help our dogs with herbal self-selection

Did you know our dogs know exactly what they need to self-select ?

Have you a dog that has emotional upset, anxiety, grief or skin issues, gut problems, ears discomfort

Here, you'll learn how to navigate your dogs' responses and read the signals, learn why they select what they do.

I can't wait to share with you, the magical world of canine herbal self-selection 💚

11/07/2025

Say no more 🌿

Wild Dog Botanicals

22/02/2026

31/01/2026

26/01/2026

02/01/2026

30/12/2025

25/12/2025

11/08/2025

09/08/2025

06/08/2025

03/08/2025

11/07/2025

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