Vet Rant

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

Ooooo

Just looked through older blog postings and I forgot we had a lovely one about feeding her cats.
Totally brain freeze moment.

Kind Testimonial

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"

Final one.

Youngest child is 16 today. She is more interested in her badge than her money.

What a topsy-turvy day its been.

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.

Planning to Plan plans for this year.

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

Allotment

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.

Weird unintentional cruelty.

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.

What an unprofessional day and a half today has been.

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

Faith in dog owners restored.

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.

Some cute pics

Nothing really to say except how cute are these fellas?

Email tester.

Just checking this still works... As I havent used it in many a full moon

Summertime extra

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.

Aarrrh. Sick as a chip

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

New books

I have a lot to read and digest.

Holy poo. What a month or so.

Since last post. Nothing has gone to plan.

Old shed is down. Concrete slabs moved into place for new one.

Old shed frame is to be used for chicken coop. I dismantled loads of pallets to use to use reclaimed wood for their house. However, I just got an allotment which needs fences. So I think most of that wood is going there.

I've been on waiting list for so long for an allotment, I'd almost given up on the idea.

Decided against keeping chickens on allotment itself as I have read too many horrible stories over the years about idiots setting fire to pigeon / chicken houses. Personally to me, my chickens will be pets who lay eggs, but pets nonetheless. It would destroy me to tempt fate and that happen.

So once, shed and coop built in the garden, the work continues on fence. And thats BEFORE I can start digging over the ground ready to plant.

I've loads of seeds bought. I was kindly donated a water butt from a friend. She had too many.

Sooooo. Plenty hard work ahead for me. Hopefully my personal family life will stop creating dramas and let me get on with it.

I think coop will be big enough for 5 or 6 chickens. Undecided on which type/breed. Doubtful they will all be same.

Kids did decide on some names but I have forgotten them. Ooops. Hope they remember.
Already got some strawberry plants too, (white, alpine) again kindly donated by my friend. One Sharon Griffiths. I forsee growing competitions between us each year.

Attached picture of friends chickens while I looked after them. Delicious eggggggggs.

My office.

Some days like everyone else, I get myself into why do I bother with work. Work is shite. I get stressed out. Being self employed you don't always have the same income from week to week. Blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda.

Then I clear my head thinking this is my office. Even in cold, freezing icy covered hills. It's far better than staring at laboratory walls and machinery. Breathing in fresh air, is far healthier than chemical fumes from experiments. Being alone with dogs is far greater than listening to whinging wanker bosses. Oh yes.. Dogs, walks, my world.

Edinburgh Zoo

Took kids to Edinburgh zoo yesterday .

Great day out. Hilly site. But worth the hike around. My favourites were the penguins, meerkats, and the rhino. I wasn't fussed on the big cats, birds, monkeys or Giant Panda. Weird as I went mainly to see the Pandas.

Couple pics attached.

RAW food does have an obvious drawback.

I'm a good few months into raw feeding. While my cat has embraced it easier than my dog. I'm still plodding along.

However, as my dog sometimes walks off without touching it, I left it down thinking he would go back. In this heat, this is a bad mistake.

For example, I gave him a meaty beef rib bone (I think it was rib) to chew on. I didn't expect him to eat it, more for recreational use.

As he got up to go indoors, greenbottles from nowhere came and started to have their fill. (see picture)

I also had flies hang around the bowls indoors after mealtimes.

This made me look into ways on feeding. No longer food can stay down for ages. Now picked up after 30mins and put back in fridge, and regiven at next meal time (breakfast or supper).

Can't slack on food hygiene with raw food. But the benefits for my cat and dog outweigh the extra bowl cleaning time.

Lovely Testimonial just arrived.

Our cats are a very special part of the family and their welfare is at the top of the agenda if we have to work late, be away for a weekend or even a fortnight’s holiday. Our cats are quite elderly now and like to be in familiar surroundings with all their home comforts. Finding Susan at Uncle Eric's to care for them at home was a huge relief.

Susan is totally professional and reliable. She carries out all that she needs to do and a great deal more with care and concern, not only for the cats but for us and for our home. Above all, she loves animals as much as we do and we can leave our cats secure in the knowledge that they are in the best possible hands.

I recommend Uncle Eric's without hesitation or reservation – having Susan on our side to help juggle busy working lives and the needs of our cats has been one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Mrs E Fiddaman