DOGGIE DREAM Days out for Fido
DOGS can be as demanding and hard to entertain as kids during the long summer hols.
So if you’re stuck for something more than just walkies round the park here are a few great ideas.
Try a day at the ZOO. Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford, Oxfordshire, lets dogs in on leads to see meerkats, lions, zebras and other residents. More info: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk.
Enjoy a PUB lunch at The Brandling Villa in Gosforth, Newcastle, which has a menu including chicken breast in dog biscuit and a beer called Bottom Sniffer. See www.brandlingvilla.co.uk.
Get pampered at the SPA. Raithwaite Estate in Whitby, North Yorks, offers packages for dogs and humans. Prices start at £45 for a luxury bath, blow dry, brush, nail clipping and ear clean. www. raithwaiteestate.com/the-dog-spa.
The Muddy Dog Challenge run by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is a charity OBSTACLE COURSE for dogs and owners. Crawl through tunnels, balance on beams and go on trampolines over 2.5km or 5km at Hever Castle, Kent, on September 30 – www. battersea.org.uk/support-us/challenges/muddy-dog-challenge-2017.
The most dog- friendly holiday COTTAGES in Britain are officially at OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 16 years of experience and is a freelance working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page facebook.com/ PetplanUK. Letheringham Water Mill in Suffolk, where owners Richard and Jacqui Gooding set out to create a haven with beautiful gardens to sniff around. See www.letheringhammill.co.uk.
Enjoy a Barking Mad Weekend at Sue Corfield’s FARMHOUSE at Craven Arms, Shropshire. Three-day packages include hill walks, flyball, agility and a canine murder mystery night – www. barkingmadweekend.com.
If you fancy the SEASIDE, Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland was voted Britain’s best by the Kennel Club. Plenty of space to run around and lots of dogs to play with. www.visitnorthumberland.com/coast/bamburgh.
There are play BARNS for dogs at the Action Petz centres in Newport and Bridgend, South Wales. They’re secure with an agility course and pool. Founder Shelley Redding wanted to create a safe area after her puppy was stolen. See www.actionpetz.com.
Maybe a dog FESTIVAL appeals? All About Dogs is on in Norwich next month and at Hylands, Essex, in September. Stalls selling treats, accessories and gadgets plus agility courses, frisbee-catching and a diving pool. See www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk.
Share afternoon tea at the Doggie Diner in Sunderland, which also hosts birthday parties and even has dog BEER. See www.doggiediner.co.uk. MY pug has had the nasty eye infection uveitis three times now. Are pugs in particular prone to this or does is happen to all breeds equally?