Walking the Dog

31/10/2025

This is such an incredible donation to help IVDD research. Thank you Crusoe as without you this benefactor may never have known about this cruel disease.

26/10/2025

As we're currently on holiday in Scotland I asked AI if it could show Tarsha in her new set of wheels (which we'll order as soon as Ive measured her) whizzing on the beach at Loch Morlich...and this is the result. Not bad. Can't wait to get her up here in February. We will also attend the annual DMT Charity Dog Walk next June once a date has been set. Can't wait.

26/10/2025

✨ Theres something we’ve been meaning to tell you. ✨

As you know, we have always supported and promoted dog charities that help and support disabled dogs and their families so they can lead normal and fulfilling lives. The likes of Broken Biscuits , Pumpkin & Friends Charity 1199484 , and Flori's Friends Rescue - Reg Charity 1177365 are just three fantastic charities that always need continued support and finances.

A couple of years ago, I fell in love with Bethany, a disabled dog in Bosnia whom Broken Biscuits had highlighted. As Bethany was a large disabled dog, she had been overlooked by so many families. She watched as so many of her shelter friends left for their new homes. Broken Biscuits had taken steps to bring her to their home in the UK in hopes they could more easily find her a home.

We adored Bethany and keenly awaited news of her arrival with a view, once she had spent time with Broken Biscuits, to apply to adopt her. Bethany was due to arrive in the UK at the end of August but sadly passed away on 2nd August 2023.

We’d never met her but were heartbroken. At that moment, we knew that when a disabled dog in need came along, we would look to adapt our life to welcome them into our home.

Whether fate stepped in or not (or maybe it was Finlay organizing this?), DMT Dachshund Rescue Group saved a small disabled dachshund from a kill shelter in March this year. As soon as I saw her, now named Tarsha by the charity, I knew we would look to adopt her.

We applied and then had our interview with the charity (we were so impressed how thorough the interview and vetting process was) and then waited patiently for a call... whether a yes or no.
A few hours after our interview, we got the news that Tarsha would be coming to live with us; we were successful.

Now we can’t tell you what this has meant to our family so soon after losing our precious Finlay. Our hearts are still shattered, but helping Tarsha start to live a full and rich life is certainly going to help us too. We’ll gradually tick off all those firsts; ie her first toy, her first bed, her first bowl, and her first loving family cuddle.

Tarsha’s flight from China will land at Heathrow on November 13th. So that we can get everything set up in our home for our special disabled girl and help her settle, I will be taking November 12th, 13th, and 14th as holiday. Apologies for the short notice.

Thanks again to everyone at DMT for making this happen and also thanks to Cassie and Tim at Broken Biscuits who do so much for disabled dogs every day with little fanfare or reward. You really do so much in showing everyone disabled dogs can still have a blast like every able dog.

We cant wait for her to meet all her new doggy friends once settled.

26/10/2025

Goodbye sweet precious Flossie. You were the most gentle and loving little girl. I cant believe it was 2012 when I first met you...how time has flown....but thats because we always had fun. I know your Mum and Dad will be heartbroken but you'll make certain to watch over them. You're now reunited with Freddie and I hope my Finlay welcomed you too. Fly high and free little princess. Our family will miss you so much. Thinking of Ann and Rob at this sad time.

15/10/2025

Price cap should be placed on vet prescriptions, watchdog finds.

Finally a glimmer of hope for all pet owners.

A price cap should be placed on prescriptions provided by vets to stop pet-owners from being ripped off, a watchdog has proposed.

The Competition and Markets Authority has been investigating the sector since 2023 and has just published its findings.

It found customers may be paying twice as much for commonly prescribed medicines from vet practices than they could pay online, causing them to spend "hundreds of pounds more".

It said vets should have to cap prescription fees at £16, and they should be required to tell customers about savings they could make by buying medicines online, using those prescriptions.

"These measures will help prompt consumers to consider buying medication online and protect them from having to pay excessive prices for the prescriptions they would need to do so," it said.

"Pet owners pay 16.6% more on average at large vet groups than at independent vets. For at least three of those large groups, average prices increased faster at practices they bought than at practices that remained independent," the CMA report added.

iStock
iStock

What other changes has the CMA suggested?

In its report, the CMA also said a "comprehensive" price comparison site should also be created to tell customers if cheaper options are available.

In total, it has suggested 21 changes that should be enforced, including:

A requirement for vet businesses to publish comprehensive price lists
Changes to make it easier for pet owners to access cheaper medicines online
Requiring vets to give clear price information to pet owners arranging a cremation
Giving pet owners clear price information when they are choosing a treatment, with prices in writing for treatments over £500 and itemised bills
"The current regulatory system is not fit for purpose. It only regulates individual veterinary professionals and not vet businesses, despite the majority of practices being part of a large corporate group," the report found.

Pet owners 'left in the dark'

Martin Coleman, chair of the inquiry group, said: "Pet owners are often left in the dark, not knowing whether their practice is independent or part of a chain or what a fair price looks like.

"They are sometimes committing to expensive treatment without understanding the price in advance. And they do not always feel confident asking for a prescription or buying medicine online - even when it could save them hundreds of pounds.

"Even where pet owners could access some of this information, it is difficult for them to compare prices and services - despite the fact that, in most of the country, there are several local practices they could choose between.

"We believe that our proposals would enable pet owners to choose the right vet, the right treatment, and the right way to purchase medicine - without confusion or unnecessary cost."

Firms will now have until 12 November to respond to the CMA's provisional decision.

A final decision is due to be made in March.

Today in Money: Glasgow has been ranked among the happiest cities in the world; a data change means pensions will get a bigger boost next year; and a retirement age surprise awaits 14% of Britons. And subscribe to our newsletter below to get the answer to *the* classic heating debate.

12/10/2025

My dear human, I see you’re crying because it’s time for me to go.
But please… don’t cry.
Let me explain something to you.
I know you’re heartbroken, but I want you to know — I’m not sad. I’m grateful.
Grateful that I got to meet you.
So many dogs never get that chance… to feel loved, to be part of a family, to be someone’s everything.
But I did. I had you.
I know you’re thinking you could’ve done more —
but please don’t blame yourself.
You gave me a home, a name, your time, your kindness, your love.
And that’s more than many ever get.
You gave me a beautiful life, even if it feels like it ended too soon.
We animals, we don’t live in the past or worry about the future — we live in the moment.
And every moment with you was filled with love.
That’s when my real life began… the day I met you.
So please, don’t cry for me.
I leave with a heart full of joy.
I remember your voice, your touch, the warmth of your home — our home.
You were my whole world.
Wipe your tears, and try to smile again.
Because there are others like me, waiting for someone just like you.
Please… give them what you gave me.
They need it, just like I did.
And you? You have so much love to give.
Thank you, my angel without wings.
I’ll be waiting — on the other side of the rainbow. 🐾

Not my words but nonetheless wonderful words to share if anyone is going through grief after losing a loved pet, never close your heart to another.

11/10/2025

The poor Golden Retriever has had the initial surgery to remove the huge lipoma and it was a success.

Harbin SHS Animal Rescue have posted the following.
"She is doing amazingly 🥹
I wish I could go see her but she’s down near Shanghai. Once she’s safe to travel we will bring her to Harbin.
This lady needs a name "

Thank you to anyone who donated towards her surgery.

Once she has recovered and is well enough to travel she will go into the care of Harbin SHS and begin to enjoy her life forever tne first time in years.

So thankful this girl has been saved.

10/10/2025

If anyone can help Harbin SHS Animal Rescue with a donation no matter how large or small so they can do urgent surgery on this poor Golden Retriever please do so. Its urgent so that this dog can be flown into their care, it cant be flown before the surgery is performed locally. Please Please help if you have any pound spare. Thank you so much.

09/10/2025

🎉🎊🪅REHOMED🎉🎊🪅
JET HAS FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME.

06/10/2025

If anyone can offer this lovely old gentleman a home where he can live out his last few years with love and comfort please do contact Tendercare Rescue Dogs direct. Thank you

06/10/2025

PEPSI HAS FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME AND WILL BE FLYING TO THE UK ON 15TH OCTOBER. WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP 🥳🎉🪅🎊🥳