14 year old Pedro

Isn't he a cracker! And the wonders of computer trickery, I hoovered the carpet on the photo. ;)

I Could be in Trouble

If I don't find Max's legs before he goes home tomorrow I think I will be in Big Trouble with his mum.

Current Vacancies

Dogs



I have no spaces for regular dog walks until July. I can still take dogs who only want the occasional walk, once a week on Thursday or Friday, and dogs who need walking for a week or so while their main owners are on holiday.

Thanks for all your help. Bubbles has really come on leaps and bounds in just the few weeks you've had her!
Rebecca H., Cockerpoo


I am fully booked for boarding for school holidays until October half term. Out of school holiday time, space is available from May. Early July is still available, but I have no spaces in August at all.

I would recommend Linda to anybody who is looking for a holiday for their hounds. Peanut and Ali have just spent a week in the very capable hands of Linda and I think they enjoyed the lovely peace and quiet of her house (compared to mine).
Mary K., Greyhounds

Puppies



No puppy spaces for home visits until June.

Puppy socialising - space for one or two puppies up to 4 months old.

Thank you for all you have done. When I need to board him I will certainly be calling you.
Francis W., Jack Russell Terrier puppy


Cats



No more spaces for cat sitting at Easter, plenty of spaces the rest of the year!

Linda had very positive references and was very trustworthy whilst I was on holiday. My cat Min is very independent and it was important that she was able to stay in the environment she knows whilst having freedom outdoors when she wanted it. Linda was flexible to make this possible and on my return my cat was very healthy and happy.
Marianne F., Min

Home Dog Boarding in Brentwood - Millie

Millie came to stay a couple of weekends ago, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to update properly.

What a beauty! A working cocker and it took me all weekend and a few hundred photos to get this - she hardly ever sat still.

The weather was very warm, so I made some tuna icecubes:


Took the dogs for a swim:


And went to the beach:


Finally, we got this:


Which is my favourite thing in all the world. A tired and happy dog sleeping.

Home Dog Boarding in Brentwood - Peanut & Ali

Peanut:


Ali:


They stayed for half term week while their family went and searched for the sun. We stayed home and it found us!

Ali, Beauty, Peanut, Fred, all waiting patiently for dinner.


I would recommend Linda to anybody who is looking for a holiday for their hounds. Peanut and Ali have just spent a week in the very capable hands of Linda and I think they enjoyed the lovely peace and quiet of her house (compared to mine).
Mary K, Greyhounds

(Ab)Using the Local Media

When I got my domestic dog boarding licence in February, I was very proud to be the first dog walker in Brentwood to gain such a licence. Finally, a complete service for local dogs, a home from home with someone they know.

So excited was I that I sent a press release to a few local papers. Today a little piece, and a photo of myself, Fred, Scarlet and Max appeared.



If you want to read the article, click the image, it's large enough to read. I'm very pleased with it, although vanity says it would have been nice to look awake in the photo!

I have since found out there are plenty of dog walkers in the local area who take in boarders. They're just doing it unlicenced, and therefore illegally and potentially uninsured.

I'm still proud of my licence.

Home Dog Boarding in Brentwood - Inky

Inky is boarding here a short while this weekend. He's the lovely Beagle I walk three mornings a week with my two. I really look forward to walking with Inky because he's never any trouble and he's such a cutie!

He seems to really enjoy the garden. If he's not in it, he's watching it. If he's not doing either of those things - he's asleep!

Spot the Inky!


I have no idea why that keeps uploading sideways. It's perfectly the right way up on my computer. Er....

Crashed out last night - while still daylight!


Enjoying the early morning sunshine.

Short Week but No Break for Walker

I've reminded all my clients that it's a four day week this week, and that next week I'm off.

I won't be getting the bank holidays off, as Max is coming to stay. There's a really nice dog show down in Kent on Saturday I want to go to, which I think will be good for Max as he's a bit funny about walking on the lead - he can see lots of dogs doing it! If the weather is rubbish we'll be staying home the whole weekend, so fingers crossed for nice weather!



Next week I won't be walking, but I've got a lot of paperwork to catch up on, an essay to finish so that I can start my next course (with a different and better company), I want to observe some obedience classes, get back out to Kent to investigate crate/partition options for the van I have in mind to replace mine, and visit an accountant now we're at 'year' end. Plus I have to plan what I'm going to be doing on my stand at the Greyhound Walks dog show in a few weeks, get posters made, etc. Selling a service can lead to an empty boring stall, so I've got to get around that somehow! So no actual holiday for me.

Well, I get to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the theatre at the end of next week so I'm looking forward to that a huge amount!

Home Dog Boarding in Brentwood - Nutmeg

Nutmeg came to board this weekend, my first boarder, as well as being the first dog I walked when I started.

Here are some highlights of the weekend (click on images for a larger version), the weather was so lovely we went to the beach.

Kicking back her heels at Southend-on-Sea

Mingling well...

I did have two tennis balls, but they both wanted the same one (of course!)

This is what happens if you follow a terrier chasing a ball. You get wet. Look at the colour of that sky! How clear the water is (especially for Sawfend)! A really lovely day out. But I digress...

Nutmeg's fabulous impression of a seal.

Practising staying calm and NOT barking just because someone is not within touching distance.

Giving Teddy the Kiss of Life. Or possibly eating his head.

Please Aunty Linda, I'm asking nicely, just give the camera a rest. I really need some sleep!

Completely zonked out. Despite being inches from my smelly feet and a very noisy Xbox... (Oops, I uploaded that one the wrong way round. Tilt your head!)

I would recommend Linda to anyone needing help with their pet. She is completely reliable, flexible and seems to really enjoy what she does. Nutmeg can be a little terror sometimes but I feel that between us and Linda we're getting her under control!
Katherine B, Weimaraner

Home Dog Boarding in Brentwood

I have finally been told by Brentwood council that I am licensed for dog boarding! This is great news, as it means I am the only fully insured and licensed domestic dog boarder in the Brentwood borough (beware of illegal imitations)! I am still waiting for my nice, shiny laminated licence to come through the post, but I have been assured it is backdated to the day I applied so I am now open for bookings.

My (basic) charges are set at £25 per DAY (nights are free, half days £10). This should not be compared to the price of a kennel stay, because your dog will be in my home, mixing with my dogs (reminder – I have a terrier and a Greyhound who are very well socialised and used to sharing their home with many different foster dogs, as well as my extended family dogs), getting in the way of the telly as they probably do at home, snuggling up with me, and generally be getting all the love and attention I can give them. They won't be in a concrete, or 'luxury' tiled kennel surrounded by cages and other dogs and deprived of human company for most of their stay. I have a 60' secure garden (which I am not proud of, so no worries about the dogs enjoying themselves!), and three different parks/woodland areas within easy walking distance, plus my usual walking areas to enjoy. I have a soft spot for beaches too.

Obviously I am still dog walking, so this might not be suitable for every dog - as a popular dog walker I can be out for most of the day - I come home for lunch once (and usually twice) a day, so the dogs are not left alone for longer than four hours, and usually it's under three hours.

I can only take in one family's dogs at a time, and am limited to four small dogs, or two larger dogs, so if you are interested please get in touch sooner rather than later.