Muscles & More

20/02/2026

𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬’ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
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Ever noticed your dog’s coat ripple when a fly lands?
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That subtle twitch you can see on Tucker and Midge isn’t random.
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It’s the 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞. A thin sheet of muscle that sits just under the skin along the sides of the body.
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When the skin is stimulated, this muscle contracts reflexively. The result is a quick flick of the coat that helps dislodge flies and irritants without the dog even turning its head.
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No scratching.
No twisting.
Just efficient design.
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Clinically, this reflex is more than a fly swatter.
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We assess the cutaneous trunci response as part of a 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 because it reflects sensory input and spinal cord function through the thoracolumbar region.
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So that little ripple along their sides?
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It’s protection.
It’s reflex.
It’s healthy nerve communication.
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Nature doesn’t miss much.
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💚🐾
Janine
Muscles & More
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17/02/2026

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 💛🐾
From whirlwind energy to calm confidence! Addie the Golden Retriever has come such an incredible way. She used to be the excitable wild child, and now she blows her mum away! When she hops off lead, she trots right through the Muscles & More door onto the table and lies down, no prompting needed! It’s beautiful to watch, and her mum’s pride says it all. Addie, you’re an absolute star! 🌟

14/02/2026

𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐀 𝐃𝐎𝐆’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐍 𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐘? 🐾
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See that tiny little drip?
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Nothing dramatic going on here.
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When a dog truly relaxes on my table, their body switches into calm mode.
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Calm mode is controlled by the part of the nervous system responsible for
• rest
• digestion
• saliva
• tear production
• and yes… nasal moisture
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So when they properly let go, the snozza can get a little wet and shiny.
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It is not illness.
It is not the body clearing anything out.
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It is simply the body saying
Righto. I am safe.
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During canine myofunctional therapy we are working with muscles, fascia and the nervous system.
When that nervous system downshifts, the glands that keep the nose moist can produce a little extra.
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Clear.
Mild.
Normal.
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When I see the soft drip, the slower breathing and those heavy eyelids… I know we have reached regulation.
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No drama.
No woowooo.
Just good, solid biology. 💚
⠀
Muscles & More
Canine Myofunctional Therapist 🐾
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11/02/2026

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐃 💛🐾
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Tucker Jane is back for her second year as a 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐋® 𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄.
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𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨.
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That means consistency.
It means showing up.
It means doing the work.
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Antinol has been part of Tucker’s journey since she was a baby. Through training, sport and everyday life, it’s something I genuinely trust.
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It aligns with everything we stand for at 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒n𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 — keeping dogs strong, sound and moving well for the long term.
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If you’d like to try it for your own dog, Tucker’s athlete code is there for you:
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𝐓𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟐𝟕𝟑𝟗
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Very proud of this girl. 💛
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08/02/2026

𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 🐾

Raw feeding can be incredibly beneficial for many dogs. It needs to be done with intention and balance.

Following properly formulated recipes, or regularly checking that nutritional requirements continue to be met, is essential for long-term health.

Whole foods only support the body when the nutrients are right.

👉 Worth reading the full article for context and details
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🐾 Muscles & More

Brand new study looked at whether dogs fed a raw meat-based diet (RMBD) were leaner or healthier compared to dogs eating regular commercial pet food. Researchers followed 104 healthy adult dogs about half eating raw diets and half eating commercial diets for several months. They checked body condition, activity levels, and ran blood tests to look at nutrient status.

Dogs eating raw diets were generally leaner and had lower body fat scores than dogs eating commercial food. On average, raw-fed dogs were eating slightly fewer calories and getting more of their energy from fat & protein, which may help with weight control. They were also more likely to participate in dog sports and higher-intensity activities.

However, the study also found nutritional concerns with raw diets. Many raw-fed dogs were getting lower amounts of important minerals like iodine, zinc, copper, and manganese. Some vitamins, especially vitamin D and vitamin E, were also lower compared to commercial-fed dogs. Although bloodwork did not show obvious signs of deficiency and all dogs appeared healthy, the nutrient imbalances raised concerns about potential long-term effects if diets are not carefully balanced.

06/02/2026

💚 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
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This week I’ve really loved being back in the clinic.
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Just me and each dog, one on one, in a quiet space where there are no humans around and no expectations placed on them.
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It’s a time where a dog has no job and nothing to perform. Just time, space, and the chance to let go.
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And when you see a dog let go, that’s when true therapy can begin.
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It’s my favourite time. 💚🐾

30/01/2026

💚 𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸, 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
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The ongoing extreme weather has made scheduling incredibly difficult, and I know some of you have been waiting longer than usual for appointments.
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With this short window of cooler conditions, I’ve opened two extra mornings for appointments this week.
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These appointments are 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱, and at this stage 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿.
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I’ve contacted those on my list where possible.
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If you’re able to be flexible and would like one of these spots, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 so I can finalise the week.
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Thank you to everyone who understands the realities of working with dogs in extreme weather and continues to work with me 🐾💚
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Janine 💚🐾
Muscles & More

26/01/2026

🇦🇺 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 💚🐾
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𝐈’𝐦 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧.
𝐀𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞.
⠀
𝐌𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝.
𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡.
⠀
I was raised with values passed down quietly, not loudly.
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 🤍
⠀
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭.
𝐋𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲.
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲.
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Doing the right thing, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝.
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𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲.
I dislike upsetting people.
But 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧.
⠀
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞.
⠀
𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.
⠀
Those values don’t just shape who I am.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤.
How I treat people.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬. 🐾
⠀
𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐝𝐨. 🤍
⠀
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 🇦🇺
⠀
Janine
💚🐾

25/01/2026

💚 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐞 🐾
⠀
💚 𝐀 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐚 🐾
This beautiful review was left about 𝐍𝐨𝐚, a 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 who has taught me so much along the way 🤍
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When dogs like Noa walk through the door, it’s never about 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 or following a fixed “way” of doing things.
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It’s about
𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 👂
𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 👀
𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
And letting them 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 🕊️
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What stood out for me with Noa wasn’t just how 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝
it was how 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 💚
⠀
From 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫-𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭
to 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦, 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 ✨
⠀
💚 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞.
⠀
It happens because each session is guided by 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞, not a checklist.
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Sometimes that means 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Sometimes it means 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞.
Sometimes it means 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 and carrying that lesson forward 🐾
⠀
Helping Noa learn that 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐲 has been incredibly special
and I’m grateful for what 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞 🤍
⠀
💚🐾 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞
𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 & 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞
⠀

24/01/2026

💚 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 ☀️🐾
⠀
During periods of 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭, the clinic 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.
⠀
𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭.
Working in unsafe heat isn’t fair on dogs, owners, or myself.
⠀
This decision is 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲.
𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭.
⠀
Once temperatures ease, the clinic will reopen for 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, with 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 ☀️
⠀
Appointments affected by extreme heat will be 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝 once conditions are safe.
If you’d like to be placed on a 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭, please 𝐏𝐌 𝐦𝐞.
⠀
During warmer periods, 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 to keep the clinic calm and reduce numbers inside 🐾
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Thank you for your understanding and compassion 🤍
⠀
Janine
Muscles & More 💚🐾

22/01/2026

💚 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜? 💚🐾
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I couldn’t help but laugh. Django had already had his session, but in full cheeky form he kept jumping up for his ‘turn’ again and again. That smile, the ear-licking—classic Django humor.

If you’ve ever wondered how safe dogs feel here, whether solo or with siblings, this says it all.

Moments like these remind me why I love what I do.
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