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Dog walking and pet sitting services
My Blog
Blog
Phoebe, pug dog from Sonning joins Doggy Day Care
| Posted on 15 May, 2011 at 16:51 |
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When I got a call from Julie, who told me she was moving from Sheffield to Sonning and was looking for someone to look after her 14 month old pug dog, Phoebe, I was so excited - pugs are (one of) my favourite breeds! So I arranged to meet up with them as soon as they arrived in Sonning. Phoebe enrolled in Mind My Paws doggy day care three weeks ago, and I have completely and utterly fallen in love with her! She is the cutest little thing with the biggest personality. She comes to me three days a week and also boarded with us this weekend. During her time with us, she has met many new doggy friends, including Rolo the labradoodle, Dudley the chocolate lab and Stan the jack russell (not so much of a puppy anymore!). She provides hours of endless entertainment, just by simply either never sitting still for a second, or completely sparking out on your lap when she's used all her energy. Yesterday, we took her to our dog friendly local, Victoria Arms in Binfield, to introduce her to some friends. She won the affection of the whole place - including a very excitable 3 year old who sat on my lap, laughed uncontrolably and played with Phoebe for maybe half an hour! I'm so happy to see Phoebe's little face when I pick her up in the mornings and am hoping that over time, her mum will feel less and less guilty about leaving her!     |
Cat sitting in Twyford
| Posted on 2 May, 2011 at 16:16 |
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Easter has been a very busy time at Mind My Paws. As well as many dogs to walk, I have been sitting 8 cats over the Royal Wedding weekend. First up is Pixel, the beautiful Bengal, who's owners have been away for the last three weeks in New Zealand visiting family. She is quite possibly the softest, friendliest cat I have ever met. Apart from one little scare on the lack of seeing her for a day, which resulted in getting to know all the neighbours and the vet (!), Pixel was an utter joy to sit. Next up are Mya and Coco. With poor Mya having a heart condition and needing medication administered twice a day, I visited them a couple of times before Gemma, their owner went off on holiday. They both seemed happy and relaxed on both occassions, and Mya was happy to let me squirt her medication into the corner of her mouth via a syringe. However, when I arrived on my own, and the flat was Gemma-less - it was a different story! After lots of hissing, I decided to try a different way. So I carefully dropped the medicine on some tasty treats and they were gobbled up. I also had to enlist the help of next door neighbour Jess, who Mya seemed to love, when she refused to eat my treats. As warned by Gemma, Coco hid under the bed on every visit so there is no photo of her! Then there's Pixie and Pasty. This pair are new to Twyford but are already confident enough to go in and out the catflap to enjoy the sunshine. Pixie loves to be stroked and purrs so loudly it kind of made me want to stay with her all evening! Glossy black cat Pasty is happy to see me as he knows it's food time. Next is Mary. She gets fed, I let her out the house early evening and go back in the morning to let her back in and feed her again. She is always waiting for me at the front door for her breakfast and is highly vocal while she waits! (she's the one eating out of her bowl). Archie, the gorgeous Ginger is one of my regulars and is currently on a diet. He doesn't seem to be enjoying his new 'special' food and is not as enthusiastic to see me as he normally is! And last but not least, Bobby. The photo doesn't quite convey how amazingly fluffy he is - the fluffiest cat I've ever met! He is happy to sit and be stroked and I can see it in his eyes that he wants me to stay longer. All in all a busy cat week at Mind My Paws. A big thank you to Gemma who brought back the purrfect gift for me!         |
Bouncer dog boards at Mind My Paws
| Posted on 17 April, 2011 at 7:37 |
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In the past, Bouncer has gone to kennels when his family go on holiday, but he has never enjoyed going there, so this time, he boards exclusively at Mind My Paws. Once he got over his fear of our slippery laminate flooring, he was a happy dog. Happy to go out and chase his ball, happy to stay in and sleep in his basket, happy to sit by your feet - generally just happy. In the five days that he was with us, he has made many friends, both doggy and human! He has joined me on my walks with Dudley, Ozzy who was with us for two days this week, Frankie, Toto and Rolo. As it's Easter holidays, all the kids of Broad Hinton have been visiting and playing with him every day! He loves the attention and they love him! We are sad that he has gone, but looking forward to having him for a week in August.     |
Dudley and dog walking in Henley on Thames
| Posted on 30 March, 2011 at 12:50 |
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Dudley and his family have moved from Toronto, Canada back to the UK, so he is my first official foreigner. Thankfully he seems to understand my Scottish accent! Having had a major shoulder operation in November last year, Dudley is now fully recovered and ready to get back out there and restore his fitness levels - which is where I come in. Living slap bang in the middle of woods just outside Henley on Thames, we are spoilt for our choice of walks. There are woods in all directions and the Thames is within walking distance too. Tim and Jillian, his mom and dad walk Dudley first thing in the morning, then again at lunchtime. I visit every day at 4pm, sometimes with some companions for him to play with (Mia joined us last week and Bouncer will be joining us next week). Dudley is always happy to see me as he gets to explore his new land. Lots of uphill, downhill paths through the woods, some amazing bird spotting opportunities and packs of muntjac deers aplenty, our walks are never dull! Yesterday we went along the Thames as the sun was shining. I think Dudley would tell me it's still a bit too cold to swim if he could. What a handsome boy!     |
Stan joins Doggy Day Care in Twyford
| Posted on 19 March, 2011 at 12:41 |
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Stan, the adorable 14 week old Jack Russell Terrier puppy had his first day at Doggy Day Care with Mind My Paws. His owners, Mark and Stef have had him for four weeks now and have trained him to perfection already! Amazing! Since they've had him, Mark has been at home with Stan training him which explains the impecible beahaviour. He has been well socialised, with both humans and other dogs, so he was quite happy to stay at ours for the day. Mark and Stef briefed me on all his likes, dislikes, habits and routines. They packed his favourite toys, which he started playing with straight away. When it came for walk time, on went his leash and he got very excited - until he realised it was raining. He looks up at me as if to say 'what you really expect me to go out in that???' Yes I said, so off we set. Over the next half hour, Stan 'sat' a lot with a determined look on his face. Walk over, he made it clear he was happier sitting on my lap! The second walk later on that day, when the sun was shining, went much better. Stan is coming to Doggy Day Care next week for three days - I can't wait. He will also join me on a regular walk schedule. I'm looking forward to watching him grow.    |
Ozzy the chocolate labrador from Twyford was a model boarder this weekend at Mind My Paws
| Posted on 14 March, 2011 at 15:01 |
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Where do I start with Ozzy, the two year old chocolate labrador from Twyford? As well has having the shiniest coat and most beautiful eyes, he is the most laid back of labs and quite possibly the most well-known dog in Twyford! He and his family live in the same estate and infact road as Mind My Paws, so it was nice to have a 'local' boarding with us. While they went off to Centre Parks for a long weekend, Ozzy, armed with his favourite toys (including a very squeeky tennis ball!) settled in very easily to his holiday home. Thankfully Spring has finally sprung so with the sun shining, the fields of Twyford are begining to dry out. On every walk, we met many other 'friends' of Ozzy, who's owners looked slightly confused as they asked 'You've got Ozzy?' Anyway we had a great weekend, and I've just had to reluctantly let his family take him back home. But we will see each other regularly I'm sure.     |
Cat sitting in Henely on Thames
| Posted on 7 March, 2011 at 8:50 |
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Mark and Nicky, the owners of Dexter and Jasmine, warned me I might not see either of them when I visit to feed and change their litter, while they go away on holiday for a week. 'What usually brings them out of hiding?' I ask. 'You could try rattling this tub of Whiskas treats' Mark says. He does it and Jasmine's head appears cautiously around the door! But she looks at me and decides not to bother joining us. So on my first visit to them yesterday, after I clean the litter and get their food and water ready, I try his trick. For about ten minutes, I sit rattling the tub. Nothing! These two cats are way too clever to be fooled by me trying to tempt them to come and play with me! Maybe they'll come out of hiding tomorrow........... No photos of either of them to share! STOP PRESS!!! Dexter and Jasmine come out to see what's going on on my second visit - they are both a bit wary but even induldge me in a bit of playing! Next time I go, I'm taking my camera...... My final visit today, and it turns out, they both love having their photo taken!     |
Charlie, dog from Shiplake boards with Mind My Paws for a week
| Posted on 23 February, 2011 at 5:34 |
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Charlie, the beautiful golden retriever is boarding with Mind My Paws for the half term week. His family have gone skiing and they wanted to make sure their beloved dog got the care and attention they would give him if they were there. As they normally holiday in the UK, Charlie goes with them. So it's as difficult for them to leave Charlie as it is for him to be away from them. All Charlie's familiar toys, bed and food come with him. He settles in easily and sits on my feet as his owners told me he would! Throughout the week Charlie gets to discover Twyford, meets new dogs and other dog walkers who all say exactly the same thing 'what a beautiful dog!' And they're right of course. It's going to be hard giving him back!    |
Aileen welcomes Frankie to her weekly dog walking service in Henley on Thames
| Posted on 16 February, 2011 at 8:14 |
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Frankie is the newest addition to my dog walking service in Henley on Thames. This one year old is full of character and even although she is tiny, she is strong and knows exactly what she wants. She is keen to play with other dogs and is a constant source of entertainment. Her little legs take her happily on our hour long walks easily and she looks up at me at the end as if to say 'what is that it?' The weather is starting to get nicer, so we have plenty of beautiful walks ahead for us and all our other dogs. I know that Frankie is going to get along just fine with Charlie, the golden retriever who will be staying with us for a week while his family are on holiday.  |
Advice from RSPCA: the importance of providing your dog with the company it needs
| Posted on 9 February, 2011 at 11:11 |
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There is a reason why a dog is man's best friend - their personalities are similar to ours! They crave social activity from the people they know and from people and experiences they don't. Make sure your dog has appropriate company to stimulate him or her both mentally and physically. The facts:
How to make that happen:
At Mind My Paws, I provide the opportunity for your dog not only to get all the exercise it needs (whatever the weather!) it also means that he or she gets the chance to interact with other people and animals, which has a positive impact on their lives. |
