The exciting day to day adventures of Consett's Premier Dog Walker. www.waggs.biz
Our new podcast / petcast nearly took the boring Uncle Eric's Petcast route, but I fancied something different.
Quick social media cry for help and Petology was suggested. The twitter version of that name had already gone.
But I liked the name, quick tinker, twitter check and I finalised with
The Petologist
If anyone wishes to suggest a future topic or has an idea, I can be contacted via ThePetologist@gmail.com and on twitter @ThePetologist
That was the easy bit done. Now for some content.
Some people might already know this, or some may have guessed with my out of the blue questions to them.
But our new addition to the Uncle Eric Pet Care brand will be... , drumroll please.
Howay, can't hear you. Louder. LOUDER.
.... a podcast..
A what? I hear you cry with laughter.
Yes. A pet based podcast.. It won't be weekly, at the very best fortnightly. I won't rush it. Each episode will come out when ready.
It will be a mixture of dedicated episodes for specific pets, or a specific episode to a pet based business / career. The latter including interviews with local businesses.
Research is underway for episode 1 and 2. Just need to buy a decent microphone and headphones , learn about some useful software for editing each recording and then find cheap (preferably free) hosting for the podcasts.
Sounds easy, doesn't it? NOT..
Nothing like a new project to keep the mind ticking away. Or blow the mind to smithereens.
See you on the other side..
I've not even thought a name yet.. GULP.
#Consett #petcare tails
Well. Must be around 3 months since we got our chickens and Ive loved 95% of the time we have shared.
That was until 1 of our hens started crowing. At 1st after research, I claimed to the family that its common(ish) for a flock without a cockerel (don't like using rooster, too USAy), for a hen to take on a male role. That includes crowing. I was kidding myself rather than the family.
I was repeatedly told we had to get rid of him. But Nugget was the smallest one we have. Black Bantam Frizzle Cochin, and the one with most comedy character and I was determined to try everything to keep him.
Since we live in a terrace of bungalows and the coop is in the garden, I knew there was only so long his noise would be put up with.
More research and I came across a chicken website, with a public forum for questions and answers. Look kids, something that existed before Facebook.
By chance I read up on no crow collars. What on earth are these you ask.
http://nocrowroostercollars.com/pages/faqs
Designed to reduce, not eliminate the volume of a crow, by affecting the cockerels ability to fully inflate his air sack.
Well. Being cheapskates we found instructions on how to make our own DIY style.
At 1st, I thought it worked, I could genuinely not hear it as loud. But it didn't last.
Last week I had to rehome him. It tore a huge chunk out of me. In fact messed my sleep up for a full week before he left. You often think no one could look after a pet better than you can.
I must have endured a few panic attacks.
Weird. To some it was just a chicken. To me, I had to give away a pet. Something that I detest others doing. When I get pets they should be with me until they pass away.
I will never make this mistake twice.
(wrote this weeks ago, didn't click post oooooops)
Can't believe it.
Ive had chickens for a good few weeks but forgot to put it in my blog. Plenty Facebook and Twitter post though. Probably far too many for some.
Started with 4, but following weekend crept up to 6. All different breeds.
So. From really poor memory, we have 1 of each of the following.
Rhode Island Red
Barnevlder
Blue Haze
Speckledy
Frizzle type (oh bugger, always forget this one)
And and AND.. HMM. I'll get back to you.
I didn't expect it to be such fun/relaxing/confusing/terrifying all rolled into one parcel.
We don't know exactly the ages, but all pre egg laying when bought . There are 3 age groups of feed, handy when you don't know an age. One of them for egg layers, which 2 have recently started.
My coop which is sturdy has an arse for a roof. I built into the frame a gentle slope for rain to run off. Alas plastic panels just gathered water and leaked. I replaced that with blue tarpaulin. Again water gathered in certain areas and dripped through. Also the tarp colour prevented alot of natural sunlight getting in.
Next, clear transparent thick tarpaulin with wooden beams under neath. While the leaking stopped. Flipping roof doesn't drain effectively so holds onto alot of water and therefore weight. This needs fixed prior to winter and the snow it will bring.
Health wise. 1st four either came with or developed a respiratory problem early on. Our local vet which specialises in farm animals, give us plenty of antibiotics for less than a tenner. Couldn't believe how cheap it was.
I managed to fix roof (I think) by inserted wood under the tarpaulin, forcing an apex shape.
Blooming legs have taken a right battering this week. The chaos is set to continue next week as I'm doing holiday walks, where dogs are staying at their grannies. 2 houses, twice a day before and after normal full day.
Plus, I'm covering 1 walk for an other dog walker who is off on her holidays.
I must remember to look at my diary management skills since they are lacking in the ability to allow me to day no.
They don't make them like they used to. Horrible mental feeling knowing your finger has gone through the bag while scooping up some poo. If I don't look at it hasn't happened right? RIGHT??
Well I did look. So it happened.
Get back to my car, and someone moved my antibacterial handgel. FanFLIPPINGtastic.
Fecking vet.
Im not going to name it as its unfair too. As I suppose one bad experience with one vet within a practice shouldn't tar them all. Especially as I rank one of the other vets outstanding.
My 15 year old cat. Never been vaccinated in his life, went because he had a rash. Vet 1, gave him antibiotics to clear up after effects of a bout of fleas. Our house has only ever had 2 flea attacks in all that time. Latest few weeks back, house all clear.
Today, for the follow up consultation. Vet 1 wasn't there so my wife saw Vet 2. This vet was pushy. All he was interested in was selling a monthly package which highlighted a monthly antiflea treatment. MONTHLY?? Also my 15 year old has bad teeth. Vet 1 wouldn't stress my cat out or run the risk of anesthetic due to his age. Vet 2 however was all for giving quotes for the non essential treatment.
Really angry doesn't cover it. I hate pushy people, especially ones who push for very expensive, non essential treatments
Just looked through older blog postings and I forgot we had a lovely one about feeding her cats.
Totally brain freeze moment.
| Some days you get right cheesed off with things. Its little things like this which make it all worth while
"Having just seen 2 vans full of dogs on a hot summers days I am once again thankful that I chose to use Uncle Eric's Pet Care Services. My dog is given the 1-2-1 tailored care and attention that she deserves. From the moment of stepping outside of her home, her walk commences, there is no fear of her being driven around the County in a van full of strange dogs or having to share her walk with several other dogs which may intimidate her or worse. Her walk is tailored to her needs and I know she is in very good hands. She is safe and secure as she is always kept on a lead which is an extended lead to allow her some freedom whilst still remaining secure. She has Eric's undivided attention, and if there are any problems or concerns with her health and well being, I know I will receive a call or text swiftly from Eric to keep me informed. On returning home her paws are cleaned if needs be, water is checked and she is left with a treat. I really value Eric's dog walking service and cannot recommend him enough. I allow very few people to walk my dog and I have full faith in Eric's sensible and sensitive approach. Claire B" | ||
| |
Days can change quickly.
I was happy as the preverbal Larry towards end of my last walk, then I saw something, and I knew it wasn't good. Man walking his jack russel off lead. Yes, it ran across the green towards me barking and yapping, and went straight for one of the dogs on lead. (Notice, his dog offlead, walked dogs were on lead)
After THREE failed attempts of me to use my right foot and saying clear off. It just kept attacking. Owner was useless, he didn't even try to recall his dog (really hope he reads this, as I'm on the hunt for him.) As a last resort I had to kick the attacking dog off. I had to yell at the clown to get his sodding dog on his lead. His only concern was because I had to kick his dog off. Not the fact his dog was attacking another.
His description. Male. Less than 6ft tall. Glasses. Black bomber type jacket. Black beany type hat with Sunderland FC logo on it. Guessing 40-50ish.
Dog description. Jack Russell. Nasty barking variety. Wearing a red neckerchief.
Location. On the green behind Fellside, Delves Lane.
If anyone knows this person, please tell me, as he has a date with a nice Policeman soon.
Luckily, the attacked dogs owner checked over her dog thoroughly and there is no injury. But this could have been very very worse. What if a young child had been in charge of their pet? I at least have big feet with 16 stone weight behind me. The child could have been badly bitten.
Regardless of what injuries occurred to either dog , the off lead walker is purely financial responsible. Law is clear. Dogs MUST be under control at all times. I tried to explain this (ok badly amongst my swear words) to this idiot. He didn't take any responsibility, his only other comment to me was to call me childish.
Ok. Dummy spat across the field. My toys have been chucked out of my pram.
However. My day changed mood again. Half hour after I got home, I got a phone call. While I can't say what the conversation is about, its very possible I could become part of a new business venture. I foresee a few meetings and brainstorming sessions ahead for me.
I've plans galore for 2015.
Allotment needs dug over and planted.
Garden Shed needs built
Chicken coop needs built
Deciding on which chickens to buy
Beekeeping course
New business development and its marketing
New courses upon courses to stimulate the brain
And that is all so far.
But first, another hr in bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Quick recap.
Loads of plans / jobs / projects to do.
But they never happened as planned. Last week the allotment fence started with help of a friend but we didn't finish it due to my shockingly out of shape body.
Today I plan to try and clear the ground of rubbish a bit more. If it looks in use, then my neighbouring allotment holders may stop chucking their rubbish in mine.
I think I can actually fix rear fence just be reusing some of the rubbish there. Here's hoping.
Pics from last week.
Yesterday I saw another dog walker who was walking 5 dogs on a grassy field.
2 dogs were off lead, and the other 3 on lead. The dogs off lead were under perfect control, so this isn't my usual on lead rant that I'm getting far too comfortable always banging on about.
I watched the walker throwing balls for the 2 off lead dogs who obviously were having a great time. However, I noticed the other 3 were wanting to play aswell. But they couldn't. The 3 dogs were very excited but restricted to short fixed length leads.
I believe indirectly the dogs on the lead would feel punished by the removal of the opportunity to play chasing the ball. The dogs would be very confused at this too, as they would have no idea why they couldn't play therefore indirectly why they feel punished.
Again, I am a walker who is 100% against off lead walks unless dogs are under complete control. However, I think mixed walks (both off and off lead) might have hidden consequences for the actual pet owner. Maybe undoing some hard work between owner and dog, or maybe a small problem unnoticed evolving into larger very noticeable problem.
Either way the dogs on lead were obviously not having as good a time as the ones off.
Since we walk 2 dogs max on lead at any one time , at least each dog is treated equally. They have upto 5m freedom each on extendable leads to walk, sniff and explore.
When I setup my Facebook and Twitter pages, I did so with the idea of not being too serious and to document my days as a dog walker. Regardless of topic. Hopefully engaging with people to discuss topics of interest.
After today and some comments towards me and my professionalism due to my postings, I have had time to reflect.
I'm changing nothing. I don't upset anyone. I stick up for my beliefs. MY BELIEFS. All this stemmed from the way I run my business. I have never told anyone how to run their business why should they try with me.
My business position is to keep dogs on lead. My business, my rules. When I read or hear about offlead walks resulting in injury or death, it upsets me and I comment. Then I publicise the fact I walk only onlead.
Where's the harm in that? It's my unique selling point (USP in business jargon)
I am passionate about safety (in fact in the last laboratory I worked in I was OCD about it). Where's the harm in being over protective about dogs in my paid for care? Surely thats what I'm paid for.
I walk, I look after, I return dogs home safe and sound.
I have never abandoned a dog on a walk because it fails to come back on command. Thats unprofessional. Thats horrible. Thats disgraceful.
Because I opened my mouth today after hearing about a pet death and the connection with being off lead, I seem to encounter a bizarre amount of nastiness from other dog walkers.
Each to their own. I have nothing against off lead walks in theory and have recommended two local businesses who specialise in them. But the theory of off lead and all bad incidents I read about and witness daily suggest it has more problems than its worth.
This brings me back to my page. I have friends and customers who read it. Never have I upset anyone on it. Not once has a customer complained about me openly being over protective of their family pet. I treat all customers as if my own. Hopefully that comes across in the way I talk to them. And the way I still walk them from being puppies. Or the way I walk one on one with their infirm or elderly animal family members.
If other dog walkers from far afield or local have a problem with me or my ways, please unfriend me, block me, or whatever. I don't have issues with you or your way.
I'd rather hypocrites just disappeared from my life.
That said, I will still continue the way I am. Dogs on lead at all times, and be very angry everytime I see or hear of dog injuries. It's the way I am.
Adios and wooof wooof
I have a new puppy starting in January. The owner contacted me to see if I can fit her in BEFORE she agreed to get it.
Now thats a fantastic dog owner. Plenty of preplanning before deciding.
She already has an older dog which I walk but wow. I love owners like that.
Here's me thinking it was Autumn. Bought new pants on Saturday. Ones without the air conditioning holes I carefully crafted over the last year.
Blooming sun was splitting the trees and therefore overheating occurred.
Perfect weather for a mini selfie with my newest client.
So much to do. Stupid bad back. Stopping me doing anything. Shit scared in case I make it worse.
No progress on ANY of my projects for weeks. Fooking snow will be here soon and shit all will be done.
No shed.
No chicken coop.
No allotment fence
No digging of said allotment.
AAAAARGGGHHHHHHH
