A last goodbye to 2016…

As we say goodbye to another year I would like to take the opportunity to send our eternal love to the Four Seasons members who have sadly passed away this year. It was with a very heavy heart that we said our final farewell to Honda. Honda was a quite literally a shining star and he firmly established Gus and Molly’s love of the Greyhound breed. We were so happy to have been able to spend time in his wonderful company and hope that we contributed to bring some joy to his twilight years.

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We were very sad and shocked to hear of Koby’s sudden passing. Koby had not been walking with us for very long, however even in that short space of time he brought immense joy to the Four Seasons crew. He was a force of nature, a giant ball of vibrant energy and love, you couldn’t help but love him instantly in return. I will always remember his excellent swimming skills and his enthusiastic lust for life.

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Just a few short weeks ago we also had tragic news that the beautiful Solo had very sadly passed away. Solo had not been with us very long but we were devastated to hear of his loss and our hearts go out to his grieving family. Solo was a strong strapping lad who also had an incredibly sweet soul, I felt instantly connected with him. His enthusiasm for walks and ball games coupled with his cuddly personality could melt any heart and mine was no exception. I was looking forward to spending more time with him and am just so truly heartbroken that he was taken from us all too soon. We feel blessed to have known him.

We have also said goodbye to a few gorgeous pups who have moved with their hoomans onto greener pastures. Miss Tia moved down south to live with her Nana and Papa. My beloved Rocket-Dog and Mr Giorge have embarked on new adventures in Europe with their parents. I always hate saying goodbye to my lovely puppies but I know they will have an amazing life with their fantastic owners where ever they are. Gus, Molly and myself send them love and our best wishes for their New Years abroad and we hope one day to see them again.

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As we said teary goodbyes to some, this year we were lucky enough to also say ‘Hello!’ to new team members. We welcomed Myla, Murray, Molly and teeny baby Keira to the Four Seasons fold.  Each pup has brought their own spunky personality to the table and we are so happy to have them as part of the crew.

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Before we welcome in a New Year (and Four Seasons Dog Walking’s FIFTH year in business, woohoo!!) I’d like to take a little look back at some more of the fun antics my furry munchkins and I have been up too these last few months. I really feel like the luckiest person, spending my days with the most amazing dogs who really are some of my very best friends! I am genuinely grateful every day, no matter the weather, I LOVE MY JOB!

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Happy New Year everyone, we look forward to another fantastic year with all our four-legged and two-legged friends alike. Lets make our fifth year in business the best yet.

Lots of love,

Auntie Andie, Gus and Molly xXXx

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Photos, photos, photos …

This seems to be a never-ending stream of photos! I’m STILL trying to work through my collection from August 2016 until now! Such hard work looking at all these fuzzy faces….not!

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Summer dreaming…

Yes, we are STILL working through the summer photos! What can I say, I take A LOT of photos lol! It it nice with the weather turning cold now and the clocks about to go back (boo to dark mornings, wah!) to look back on all that gorgeous weather we had. Everyone complains about it at the time, hindsight is a bit of a b*tch aye 😉 hehe…

Without further adieu… I’ll start the reminiscing with a group shot bonanza! img_77801

I love this one…

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I spy a newbie! Mr Koby the Black Labrador who joins us at the weekend on occasion. He is a happy-go-lucky ball obsessed sweetheart ❤ img_78391img_78441

PUG-LIFE! ❤

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Super cute two-some Giorge and Myla…img_84401

Murray, Olly and Bramble enjoying a game of chase…img_85161

Little and large Terrier buddies ❤img_85171

Fuzzy nose ❤

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Bramble is always up for it, ‘Bring it on boys!’ 😉 img_85181img_85211

Olly and Smudge, two of my oldest clients. These two lads have been with me from the very beginning. It makes me so proud to have had such long term clients, to be able to continue watching these amazing dogs whom I love, grow from pups into such beloved friends.

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Snoozing amongst all the wedding decorations …Gus thinks Molly’s head makes the perfect foot warmer. img_85381

Another of my absolute favs from this summer ❤img_85561img_85901

Myla and ‘her’ lads…img_85891

Kobi hanging with the big-boys group ximg_85571img_85921

That gorgeous greenery is going to be sorely missed…img_86021img_85911img_86031

After work we do like our snoozing! I’m a bit partial to joining them haha! Well after 9-10 miles of hills I don’t think anyone could begrudge us a little power nap 😉 img_86041

Cocoa-Bean! We miss this lady all the time and LOVE it when she comes to visit ❤ ❤ img_86441

Lovely athletic girls xximg_86661

Nothing beats that ‘wind in your hair’ kinda day!img_86671

Archie and Myla

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We will finish with Miss Bean-Weasel doing her very best meerkat impression, funny girl! img_86751

Sunshine state…

Still working our way through the summer photos folks 😉 As the winter weather slowly descends on us it is lovely to look back at all those gorgeous blue-skied days…img_93111

Lads…

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Mr Hugo had a long stay with his Nana and Papa in Ireland this summer, we were so delighted when he finally came home, we missed him!img_92871

This is Mrs Cara. I say ‘Mrs’ as she is a very mature lady! She is older sister to Miss Bramble the wild child lol. She must have the patience of a saint to share her house with that young up-start haha!  Cara comes with us one a week for a stroll and she enjoys paddling in the river and sniffing…a lot 😉

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Archie, Arhcie, Archie… could you try to be a little less good looking please? You are putting ALL of us to shame!img_93221

The happiest of happy frenchie faces ❤img_93231

Not one to be outdone, here is Gussy trying to show Archie he is not intimidated by his good looks…me thinks you are trying a little too hard Gus my lad lol 😉 img_56821

Border Terriers have the cheekiest wee faces ❤img_80741

I love this spot ❤ ❤ Its one of my secret places, shh…I’ll never tell 😉img_81211img_81321

This photo was taken after a full afternoon of swimming and frolicking in the river, these are all my champion water babies! Its always sad saying goodbye to our swimming days…until next year.img_82731

That time Ruben found an abandoned football…It was like Christmas had come early!img_82741

I am sure I have mentioned it before but it can always be repeated! I am so so delighted to finally have our very own little Pug on the team! Four long years I have waited for this little recruit haha 😉 Myla is everything we could ask for, bringing the ‘Pug-Life’ vibe to our walks in a big way. She may be little but her personality is anything but! She is full of smiled and fun and loves being right in amongst the lads…img_84111

From me to you, kiss kiss…img_84131

WEEEEEEEE!

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What are those lads up to Myla? I don’t know but I’m gonna find out!img_84231

Yup this is Myla…in a nutshell hahaha!

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo! Ruben is such a start of a dog with the littles ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ img_84431

Boy it is such hard work keeping those boys in line aye munchkin? Sleep well xxximg_84371

Summer Loving…

EEP! Still working towards out catch-up of all the summer loving! I’ll delve right in shall I?

To begin with a little sharing of what I have been up to these past few months (that don’t involve the wedding bonanza!) I attended two IMDT courses under the tutelage of Steve Mann, Perfect Puppy Foundations and a two day course on Career as a Dog Trainer. Now don’t worry folks! I’m not changing careers! I LOVE my work as a walker far too much ❤ However these courses were very applicable to my dog walking career as they covered a more in-depth look at how dogs learn, motivational training and how we as dog-handling professionals can better communicate with owners, our clients to help them better understand their dogs. I would recommend any IMDT courses to anyone, they were incredibly well structured and presented and refreshingly challenging. As dog handlers (in any profession regarding our 4-legged buddies) I believe we are always, and should always strive to learn as much as we can. It is a continuous learning process for us all, even the top dog trainers would say they are always learning! This is not the kind of work where you reach a point and ‘TA-DAH’ you are suddenly the perfect handler or trainer. We are constantly moving forward, honing our skills, learning new skills, learning more about our dogs world and how they perceive it. It is a life long journey, or a life long obsession…however you would prefer to view it 😉

Next year I’ll be following up with more in-depth courses on motivation, positive reinforcement and body language as well as nutrition.

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Puppy dogs in the bath…you can see they are thrilled about it!IMG_7005[1]

Pooped baby…IMG_7011[1]

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A new face in the crowd! Meet Solo, a fun loving chatty Vizsla lad who got on particularly well with…well everyone! hehe 😉img_90201

Fun loving lads together, a joy to watch them running around being their healthy athletic selves xxximg_90151

Miss Myla the Pug determined to keep up with the others, just cause she’s little does not mean she is not up for the rough and tumble!  img_90081

Maud in the middle 🙂img_90071img_90051img_90281

That face ❤ I’m so so so so so happy to FINALLY have a little Pug on the team! WHOOP!img_90351

Never enough chocolate to go around xXXximg_91031

This photo just makes me so happy, what gorgeous dogs I get to spend my days with….img_91191

Miss Moomoo munching grass….mmmmm tasty grass….img_91201img_91211

Gus doing his model bit…img_91561

Raaaaaar!!! Run to Mummy!!!img_91571img_92111

All the beautiful babies…and Myla’s face just cracks me up in this photo 😀img_92211

SQUISHIES!! ❤ ❤ ❤ Sometimes I seriously contemplate stealing them all….;)img_92221img_92231

Yup, he is a pro at snoozing lol! This is the super grumpy face that I wake up too every morning…its kinda like looking in a mirror haha! Neither of us are morning people 😉img_92371