Mucky Paws Retreat

Naughty, naughty

2012-01-28T05:33:00.000-08:00

My mum has been very amiss and hasnt blogged for ages, just dont what she does all day.

It was a fantastic season at The Mucky Paws Retreat last year, with all sorts of dogs of all sorts of shapes and sizes coming to stay.

In November Bella my new sister arrived, she is actually not too annoying, but is just a shade smaller than me at 5 months, which isnt good. She weighs 17kg already and you should see her eat, my goodness, its like a hoover in action. I am 6 in April so am starting to kind of take it easy, well some days for sure...

Anyway will be back soon with some more news....

If any of you are planning to come and stay on the weekend of the 21st/22nd April my mum is organising a sponsored walk to help the local school and home hospice (where she works) so please come join us that weekend, or any other weekend....

Miloe

Its Chocolate Heaven

2011-10-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Well, just because a certain person in the house has reached a special birthday my Mum has gone out and made him and bought something home which has made him very happy indeed.

Welcome everyone to Bella, our 8 week old chocolate labrador puppy, what fun we will have...

Its another puppy weekend

2011-09-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Mum is very thrilled that Jasper who stayed with us when he was 15 weeks old, is now being left with us for two nights, without his Mum and Dad.......he now weighs 22kg which is way more than me, so I wont stand a chance now!!

More pictures when he arrives.

Also, a four month old Corgi puppy is coming to stay, we have never had a Corgi at the mucky paws retreat so there is a first time for everything!!

More updates to follow!!

Off for a sleep now...

Hounds mean Pounds: why it pays to like dogs

2011-09-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

The attached from The Times (26/9/11) , make interesting reading, that's why we have become so popular since word has spread, and why we are inundated with dogs, my Mum has got it made now. And most of all its a genuine love of dogs! Interestingly it says, welcome a Great Dane, and we have done just that! Read on:

Dog-friendly businesses are best plaed to gain access to our pockets, according to a survey by The Kennel Club.

Dog owners are more likely than most people to patronise local shops, it seems, and 6% more likely to take holidays in the UK. Their holiday spending is also higher than average, though not everyone is keen to secure their custom. More than half the dog owners surveyed said they would spend more time if shops were dog-friendly, and one in five would take more UK holidays if their dog was welcome (more than a third thought this wasnt true now).

With 8 million dog owners in the UK, that's a lot of owners sitting on their hind legs, waiting to be patted. So who bothers to make a fuss of them? The Kennel Club has annual competition to find out, inviting the public to nominate dog-friendly enterprises in several categories.

On the high Street best of breed, is Metro Bank, with hundreds of dog owners praising the supply of water bowls, dog biscuits and even bandannas in branches. 'We're thrilled to win this award' said Craig Donaldson, the bank's CEO, 'Our mantra is 'Dogs Rule'. If he had a tail, it would be wagging.

Others on the winner's rostrum include Laverock Holiday Cottages in Co Durham, which has a 120 ft dog agility area and Low Nest Farm in Keswich, Cumbria where they provide heated kennels and a canine creche for guests. At Pet Works in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, staff are allowed to bring their dos to work 'to promote a calme and productive environment'.

In these recessionary times, the message is clear. If the next person through the door happens to be accompanied by say, a Great Dane, smile warmly and give them both some space. The one without the studs in his collar could be your best customer.

An easy life

2011-08-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

Since Mum decided to start the home dog boarding service as well as running the B&B I now not only have dogs visiting I now have to put up with them staying! Having said that this is not an issue as we have had a cute jack russell called Harriet who I have since found out might be pregnant, not by me by the way as its not something I am able to achieve as Mum decided to remove certain items of mine.

Anyway, moving swiftly on we have a well cute 'fit' as Luke the B&B boy would say chocolate labrador staying called Flossie and she is really lovely, we have great fun but she does wear me out with antics. I have also heard mum say that ANOTHER choc lab is on her way soon called Figa and that means there is me, and four girls in the house, what more could a chap want.

This is Flossie asleep in her bed, after a very, very long walk. If only I could have got in with her, but Mum wouldnt let me!!

Jasper the 15 week old pup

2011-08-10T09:43:00.001-07:00

As mentioned previously, puppies have been very popular of late....here are Jasper and Millie.....

Tia asleep at the table - hilarious

2011-08-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

Busy, busy, busy

2011-08-10T09:24:00.001-07:00

Well it cant get much busier than this, after the sad departure of Watson (not really), I have to contain with 3 puppies in a week, yes 3 puppies, my mum has worn my ears out with all the ooohs and ahhs, gosh its boring, yes I know I am not as cute as I once was, and my ears are silvery grey on the inside but I am still Milo the top dog!

We have had another cockerpoo staying who also like Fudge below thought it would be good to venture into the pond .....

We have also had a German dog come to stay, all the way from Germany with his own passport, didnt get to see his footballing skills in the garden, bet they arent as good as mine.

Watson the Great Dane has landed

2011-07-27T13:05:00.001-07:00

Hi,

Well here are the pictures you have been waiting for, and they are on MY blog unfortunately.

Even I have to admit that he is a stunning looking dog and has stolen all my thunder which I am NOT happy about.

The sooner he is off the premises the better as far as I am concerned then I dont have to keep looking up at him to catch his eye which is not the position I want to be in.

Watson has arrived

2011-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Oh well, it was bound to be traumatic, at least from my perspective, the most enormous Great Dane has arrived and whilst he has been slobbering on Mum she has been slobering all over him, not impressed. Apparently pictures are on the way, great, more competition..... but whilst I am here, dont forget All About Dogs arrives in Norfolk in August at the Norfolk Show Ground. It looks to be even better than last year so book in at The Mucky Paws Retreat and make a weekend of it.

http://www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk

Milo :-)

Bad Mum & Reggie the Star

2011-07-20T02:46:00.001-07:00

My Mum has been shocking of late, she seems to think that she is Superwoman and can turn her hand to everything and as a result she hasnt been keeping the blog as up to date as I would like. I therefore send apologies on her behalf and will be looking for a more regular contribution from her from now on! Its simply not on.

Its been a really busy summer at The Vines, this year, if not busier than last year and as a result my head is spinning, dogs, dogs and more dogs. Some really cute girls I must say and then some rather butch boys which is a little intimidating for me, they have even been into my part of the house while their Mum and Dad have breakfast, but we are all so laid back that it went quite well.

We have even had a famous dog come to stay, Reggie a resuced Staffie came to stay with us back in June , just as the article appeared in the July issue of Dogs Monthly. His new owners had spent a lot of time on him and it really shows. He was Battersea dog and they think he had been used as a 'bait dog' by dog baiting rings, sounds pretty horrible to me..

We have some lovely pics of Reggie as he looks now which is lovely. He seems to like the water just like me...

PS. Getting a little nervous now as I heard my Mum say to a neighbour that we have a Great Dane coming to stay next week, he is only 18 months old, and enormous, oh my gosh...will let you know how it goes!

Bye, bye for now!

How lovely

2011-05-04T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hi,

What a lovely day it is today, just had a lovely walk over the field and managed to behave myself, so I am in the good books, although have been getting on Mum's nerves lately as I keep wanting to pinch tea towels and take them down the garden, not even sure why I am doing it either??

Mum had a lovely picture done of the four of us to keep as a momentum for years to come to remind herself how gorgeous we all are, especially me of course (on the left) .

What do you think?

Busy Days

2011-04-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

Well, its been a very busy few days for poor Mum. It was my birthday yesterday, 5 years old, cant quite believe it, am sure Mum thinks the same too. No cake, no special treatment so made my own fun by going out yesterday and rolling in fox poo, not just a bit but I was absolutely caked in it, excuse the pun....but Mum hasnt got a picture, thank goodness.

Lots of lovely dogs to stay and Mum has fallen in love again, I really cant keep up with the competition. Fudge and Archie came to stay, Archie a lovely Cairn terrier and Fudge the one year old Cockerpoo who mum loved. We have a picture of him when he was a baby which really isnt helping Mum with her broodiness! So here is is, cute I suppose.

However by Saturday morning I think he had blotted his copybook, hurrah. Mum offered to have both Fudge and Archie in with us whilst his owners had some peace at breakfast, and yet what fun that was. Fudge loves water and decided to explore the wildlife pond in great depth and then ended up looking like this....

The really fustrating thing is that this didnt put my Mum off at all, this is really, really disappointing, just think she is a dog lover through and though, even though she washed the kitchen floor twice that day.... I give up.

Milo
:-(

Fun and Games

2011-04-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Well its been an eventful(ish) week this week. Tia and I had to go for a haircut this week. She isnt too keen but I think because I was there with her it helped. Just before that ordeal started I made my Dad very cross. He took us out for an early walk as he didnt have to leave till 9 am as he was off to a meeting. Unfortunately I got carried away sniffing out some lovely smells and took off over the fields, far, far away and went AWOL for about 20 minutes or so. He really wasnt at all pleased when I did come back. Muffin hasnt been up to visit us of late as she is very attractive to the oppposite sex for the next three weeks if you catch my drift so its only Tia and Milly that are here annoying me. A trapped starling flew out of the chimney this week and Mum grabbed us, just before we grabbed it, very disappointing and then she opened the window and off it went, really spoilt our fun. Its getting busier and busier at the Mucky Paws Retreat so if I were you would book up soon. PS. I am 5 on the 25th April 2011, cant quite believe it. Bye for now. Milo

When family come to stay

2011-04-12T03:03:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Had another girl to contend with the other weekend when one of Muffin's sister came to stay at The Mucky Paws Retreat. So that was me and four girls, maybe most people's idea of heaven but they were very silly, immature, wanting to play all the time, which is something I am just not into anymore as my 5th birthday approaches in a week or so's time. Her name was Bella and she had the same father as Muffin and they got on like a house on fire. Mum, yet again, took a liking to Bella and thought she would be much better off living with us, but surprise surprise that didnt got down well with her Mum and Dad, Linda & Gary, Mum really needs to get a handle on this. Talk about all welcome here.

Well Bella and her Mum and Dad had a fantastic stay and are keen to return at some point, so in the meantime I will give Mum some 'counselling' on coming to terms with her desire to take on all the dogs that come an stay here.

Milo

I'm All At Sea

2011-04-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am, and I have been left behind...... The week started well when we arrived to stay at The Mucky Paws Retreat which is really lovely and very friendly. I slept quite soundly at night with my previous owner but Milo's Mum came home from a weekend away and realised I have been dognapped by three rather lively dogs, one of which Milo, isnt in the least bit it interested in me thank goodness, perhaps because I dont smell of squirrel/rabbit or something else quite disgusting, but the other two, what can I say, its been a living nightmare, one minute I'm in the garden, under a bush composing myself, then next I feel like my insides are going to spill out all over the place as one gets hold of my head and the other my bottom and its most uncomfortable and then they try and stretch me in two.

I am now looking for a new home, so please come and stay at The Mucky Paws Retreat so I can meet you. I am looking for a sedate older male or female dog with some better manners than what I am currently being subjected too!! Save me please!!!

Signed: The Sad Seal

This isnt good

2011-04-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

My mum has had a busy old week with guests and a poorly sister. You should have seen my face when George stole my thunder by sending a very lovely message to her, hmm, will have to think up my own scene stealing plan whilst I sleep for around 8 hours a day.... Dad took us on the Black run at High Lodge yesterday which is in Thetford Forest, absolutely exhausted we were and gave Mum very little trouble when she returned last night, especially as it was Mother's Day. Its all go today as we are now going to the beach, whilst I like this it gets a bit dull by the seashore as there are no rabbits or squirrels to sniff out, but hey ho its a day out. Will send you some pictures tomorrow. Milo.

Happy Birthday Tia

2011-03-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

Morning,

Its Tia's first birthday today, cant believe she is one. She is such a lovely little sister and great fun, still into everything... Happy Birthday...xx. Here she is just before she came to live with us.

Milo

I'm not arguing with you

2011-03-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was eventful. Had two Bernese Mountain Dogs come to stay at The Vines and they were ENORMOUS, very big and a bit scary for me, although Tia my little sister took a shine to one of them, think she thought they would be fab to jump all over, once she got to know them a little better of course.

There names were Ben and Beckham, first Beckham I have ever met, doubt I will ever get to meet the real thing, although Mum has commented in the past that she has had lovely dreams about Beckham but wouldnt go into any detail?

I've got some pics of them to share with you. Poor old Ben hasnt had the best life until he met his curren owners of course who clearly dote on him as much as Mum dotes on me, thank goodness, so well done for their devotion, and a happy ending.

Exciting weekend again, as one of Muffin's step sisters is coming to stay. Muffin is really cute, so cute that our housekeeper has snaffled her away and kept her for herself, Muffin was bred by Ormesguarde down in Essex, here is their website if you are interested, but do be careful when you look as its very, very tempting..

http://www.ormesguarde.co.uk/

Milo

Lovely Day

2011-03-24T04:12:00.001-07:00

Mum took us out really early this morning 6.45 am! and it was a bit too chilly for me if I may say. There were some lovely daffodils in bloom, and they did look bright and cheery in the early morning sunshine.

My little sister Tia got soaking wet as there was a beautiful dew on the grass which was lovely and refreshing for my nose, not too sure about her and she is a little nearer to the ground than me..... Mum wrapped up in a nice towel when we had had our breakfast and I must say even I thought she looked cute......what do you think?

We have lots of new people coming to stay with us this weekend which I always look forward too, might me the love of my life one day, who knows??

PS, one last picture of me looking particularly handsome, even if I say so myself.... if only that busy Mucky Paws phone would stop ringing I might get some much needed R&R.

Million Pound Dog

2011-03-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

Now that is expensive.......

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367247/Red-Tibetan-Mastiff-million-pound-dog-handed-new-owner.html

This weekends guests

2011-03-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Mum says we have a retired greyhound coming to stay this weekend called Memo.

We have had a few greyhounds come to stay at The Mucky Paws retreat and they have been an absolute pleasure. So if you feel you could give a home to a greyhound please think it through and take a look at the attached. http://westnorfolk.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/

Milo

Makes you think

2011-03-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

Whilst we were out walking yesterday afternoon a very concerned young man approached to confirm that he had lost his dog. She had got out, become frightened and run off into the night and still hasnt been found 2 days later. Its such a worry when this happens and we cant imagine what it must be like to not know where they have gone. We have put a sign up outside the house to make it visible to all the lovely neighbours in the village and therefore raise awareness. We do live in the countryside which is a blessing in one way, ie less traffic but further to travel without being spotted I suppose.

Fingers crossed she will come back however they are new to the area and dont believe she had got her bearings as yet...such a shame......

Hopefully better news when we blog next.

Milo

Silver Award

2011-03-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, forgot to mention something of great importance, to my Mum, that is not me of course.

Mum got very excited the other week when Visit Britain came for an inspection. Mum has worked so hard to update The Vines, which newly decorated rooms, new soft furnishings, robes, slippers, new TV's etc, etc, the list goes on and on that Visit Britian have awarded The Vines with a four star Silver Award, which means that The Vines does that little bit more to make you feel welcome, looked after and at ease....especially with all the dogs that come to stay.

So well done Mum! Hurrah.

Beautiful Morning

2011-03-14T01:56:00.000-07:00

Well, Mum got me up really, really early this morning and we were over the field at 7.20 this morning, great fun....it was so sunny and yet misty that I could hardly see where I was going, in fact lost sight of Mum a few times, which seemed to worry her more than it did me. Tia and Milly came too and it was lovely. Walking in Norfolk is a really lovely, uplifting experience and if I get to chase things even better for me......

Its Friday

2011-03-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hi, well what an exciting week its been for me and my sisters. My little sister Tia (above) has worked out how to get through the fence and go exploring the lovely farmers field at the back of the house, which is good for her but not so good for Mum. I couldnt stop smiling when I saw her climbing over the fence to retrieve her this morning, I had to go to, of course to show her how to get through the fence of course and I was much heavier to pick up and put back in the garden, what a spoil sport....

Then Millie my other sister ended up at the vets, think Mum should get shares in the local vets she goes in there so often, in fact she even suggested to Luke, this boy that lives in the house too , who occasionally winds me up and even more occasionally takes me out for a walk...that he could do well to train as a vet.

Anyway, Mum's off to shop now as we have a couple of lovely dogs coming to stay this weekend and I just cant wait to meet them......

Welcome to Milo's Blog!

2010-05-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

We are having some really lovely dogs, and owners come to stay with us at The Mucky Paws Retreat. We have had some sad stories along the way, the rescue Springer Spaniel who was given up for adoption when her previous owners lost their home. Very sad, but it was clear that their new owners loved her and they had only had a short time.
We had a very handsome black lab come to stay too. He was gorgeous and he absolutely knew it to. His picture will be appearing soon for you all to admire.

There are a couple of dogs shows coming up soon in Norfolk.

Sunday 8th August 2010. Help for Heroes. We attended this dog show last year, it was the inaugural event and it went really well and raised lots of monies for Help for Heroes. Thoroughly recommended. http://www.norfolkdogday.co.uk/