Bit chilly! 🥶🥶🥶 But we're still open!

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Much love,

The DD Team 🎄🦃🎁🐕‍🦺

A HUGE THANK YOU! 🐕‍🦺🥰🐕

We wanted to take the time to thank all of our Paddock and Parkour users that took the time to share their lovely stories and accounts of rescuing their gorgeous dogs! If you've missed any of it, be sure to check out our previous posts where over 20 people shared their heartwarming stories.

The aim of this initiative was mainly to highlight the reality of rescuing dogs and to hopefully dispel some common myths.

They're not all lunatics. They're not all lost causes. They're not all uncontrollable and damaged beyond repair.

And lest we forget all of the hard work that many rescue centres put in to train these dogs before they reach their new homes.

So once again, thank you to everyone that has been involved. We've absolutely loved hearing about the various stories.

And to the owners of these wonderful rescue dogs, it is truly terrific and you should be proud of what you've done for a dog or dogs in need.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Much love,

DD team

Such a cutey! Meet Paddy!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Donna

Dog(s) name:
Paddy

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Stockenchurch

Dog’s age when rescued:
3 months

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Paddy was a puppy, but hadn’t spent any time indoors, we slowly introduced washing machines, hoovers etc.

More so we don’t know Paddys breed, his mother was a jack russell, but he looks nothing like a jack russell.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
We assume Paddy is a Patterdale, we’ve had to adjust his training and centre what excits him. It’s been a journey learning his breed.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Be prepared for anything

Meet Nova! What a cute smile!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Amy Russell

Dog(s) name:
Nova

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@nawtuk

Dog’s age when rescued:
4

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Nova was quite unsure of her new surroundings at the beginning. She wasn’t very confident but had obviously been well trained and responded well to some commands. She was very quiet initially but did love a cuddle!

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
We have only had her for 3 months. She still loves a cuddle! She is now more confident and pushing the boundaries a little! She is however being a very good girl in her training sessions and enjoys agility exercises! Obedience and recall... a little hit and miss but getting there! She loves her ball, tug toy and going in the car. Definately already part of the furniture and has made out home feel complete again after we lost our previous rescue, our baby boy Dudley 2 and a half years ago.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Research the breed you are thinking of rescuing, they all have different personalities. Be prepared to give them time.. both to settle in and when the time is right to give them training. Be patient with them, be invested in them but set clear boundaries. Be consistent and give them a good structured routine. We know Nova’s background so we were prepared for potential challenges.. that isn’t always the case with rescue dogs and they can’t tell us what happened to them before they found thier forever home.

Meet Harley! What a gorgeous coat he has!
Dog Owner’s Name:
Emily Applegate

Dog(s) name:
Harley

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Hands 4 Paws

Dog’s age when rescued:
1

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Timid, shy.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
A lovable maniac.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Be patient and fully research how it will change your life. We wouldn’t be without her but it hadn’t been easy.

Such a cutey! Meet Winston!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Dean Chamberlain

Dog(s) name:
Winston

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@dogstrust_newbury

Dog’s age when rescued:
4 years 8 months

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Fantastic, basic commands a little rusty but we are getting there!

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Changed my life; absolutely marvellous to have him and hes a real character. We now have a routine and hes brilliant

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
A little patience is essential for any new family member isnt it? Would recommend a rescue if you have the time and patience to give a dog.

What a name! Meet Ernie!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Chris Clements

Dog(s) name:
Ernie

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@dogstrust_darlington

Dog’s age when rescued:
4 months

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Bouncy and full of life and puppy energy.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Exactly the same, but loves to nap.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Consider how much of your current life will change, stop or be restricted because of a dog

What a smile! Meet Frankie!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Michaela

Dog(s) name:
Frankie

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@pets4homes_official

Dog’s age when rescued:
6 months

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Frankie was really scared especially of men and extremely reactive as he was locked in his cage his whole life. Frankie was also very ill as he has a cancerous lump on his ear and problems with some of his organs.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Frankie is two today and is much better now and cancer free! He is still reactive, which is why we love the private fields so much, but he is a fantastic dog who has so much love and kisses to give.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
If you have the time and space to rescue a dog it’s hard work but the love you receive is worth it 10 times over! I couldn’t imagine my life without my boy!

Such a handsome boy! Meet Duke 🤴!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Stuart and Megan

Dog(s) name:
Duke

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@germanshepherdrescueelite

Dog’s age when rescued:
3yrs 11mths

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
We adopted our boy at the end of March this year, and he just wanted to be loved. Outside the home he was very overstimulated and nervous reactive to other dogs - it became clear that he didn’t get the socialising and work needed since being a puppy, and we were determined to help him with this.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
In the last 5 and a half months, we have worked continuously with our boy at he has really cemented himself as part of our family, he has really come out of his shell. Duke is incredibly affectionate, goofy, mischievous (hide the socks!), and is still learning how to cope/adjust to dogs - he is making so much progress at group classes and is learning how to make friends with other dogs.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
To be able to help a dog in need, to give them a loving home and encouraging them to flourish is SO rewarding and also makes your heart feel full. When you adopt a dog with baggage and trauma it can sometimes feel overwhelming on tough days - but in the right home and with the right family, the continued work, training, devotion and support pays off. To see Duke come so far and grow in such a short time, and be with a family that adores him, means everything. We have more and more good days, and are determined to keep going!

Meet Koru! What a great name!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Amy

Dog(s) name:
Koru

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@manytearsrescue

Dog’s age when rescued:
9weeks

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Very quiet, scared, timid, and cuddly, always needed to be held, or cuddled, and did not like to be alone at all. 2kg, and as small as the palm of my hand.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
The kindest, funniest and fun loving young man. He loves to walk, play, be around others, play with his best friend (one of our rescue cats who also comes on walks with us). He reduces anxiety for the whole family, but in particular my son with Autism and Learning disabilities. He is now going through training as an assistance dog as he is so placid and calm, whilst creating a safe space for all around.
He loves to be involved, and join in, but will happily also stay in bed (under the duvet, with a cuddly toy and head on a pillow). He just loves to be around people, and learn, and enjoys training sessions, and using his mind.

He was absolutely the piece to this family that we didn’t know we were missing. He’s my best friend and companion.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Have time, patience and a lot of love. Do not try to rush them, and try to empathise with how they may be feeling and experiencing life.

Meet snoozing Bonnie!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Jenny

Dog(s) name:
Bonnie

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@dogstrust_newbury

Dog’s age when rescued:
1 year

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
She had been very ill when handed into Dogs Trust care. Over a period of 4 months with numerous vet visits, the rehoming centre got to the bottom of her illness, and we took her home

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Healthy, lively, very affectionate and lots of fun

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Do it. Adopt don’t shop!!!
There is always back up (from the rescue centre) when you rescue.

Such cute pupps! Meet Max and Athena!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Becky Salmon

Dog(s) name:
Max and Athena

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Romanian Dog Charity
Rescue Organisation’s

Dog’s age when rescued:
Max was 12 weeks and Athena was 6 months.

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Max was very small and didn’t like to be on his own. Athena was very scared of men in particular and cries and barks when on her own.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Max is a big softie, he is very protective and doesn’t like other dogs but would protect his family. Athena is still scared of men and people coming into the house but has the biggest heart and loves her closest family. They both love each other and are super close. We would never be able to separate them.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
They take time, effort and a lot of patience. But are the most rewarding.

Look at that face! Meet Rocket!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Rachel Peters

Dog(s) name:
Rocket

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@dogstrust_newbury

Dog’s age when rescued:
9 weeks

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Very affectionate and well trained despite the difficult circumstances of his rescue. Good around other dogs, loved lap cuddles and sunbathing

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Still very affectionate, loves cuddles, humans and other dogs. Loves chilling in the sun and treats

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
So many dogs to be rehomed. I’d always suggest seeking out a rescue pup rather than from a breeder.
Make sure tot know what size and type of dog would fit your lifestyle and then register for dogs that meet that criteria.

What a trio! Meet Neo, Apollo and Flora!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Harriet Tice

Dog(s) name:
Neo, Apollo and Flora

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Dali D.O.G Cyprus

Dog’s age when rescued:
5 months, 5 months and 3 months

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Neo and Apollo were both adopted at 5 months old. They were dumped in a box outside the pound in Dali, Cyprus. There were 7 siblings, 6 boys and 1 girl. Apollo loves people from day one but Neo was very nervous and took a while to settle. Flora was found in a
hedge in the countryside in Cyprus by a tourist at a few days old, no parents or siblings to be found. She was very young when she flew to the UK and found the flight and road transport quite frightening.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Apollo continues to love everyone and everything, as does Flora. Neo loves being at home but continues to be quite fearful of people or situations he doesn’t know.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
With time and patience it is an unbelievably rewarding experience and you won’t regret it. Rescue dogs are the best!

Very pretty with the 🌼 chain! Meet Buster!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Katie

Dog(s) name:
Buster

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Binfield Dog Rescue

Dog’s age when rescued:
5

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Frightened, didn’t want to go outside to used the bathroom so he would urinate in the house.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Loving life, walks, sitting in the garden and generally just having fun

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
It’s very rewarding, it can be hard work but it is worth it

Such a cutie! Meet Sol! Dogs just know sometimes when we need some support.

Dog Owner’s Name:
Michelle Biggs

Dog(s) name:
Sol

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Rescued from Bulgaria via Bulgarian Dog Rescue

Dog’s age when rescued:
18 months

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Sol was quiet, unsure of us but was desperate for love. He definitely followed the rule of three. It took three days to settle, three weeks for him to find his voice and three month for him to show his true self.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
He is chilled and so well behaved. He loves bum scratches, long walks, digging in the garden and going to the dog park. He ‘talks’ to me and is always nearby.
He’s been my rock over the last year, never leaving my side while I went through chemotherapy, sleeping next to me, keeping watch over me.
He’s now learning to play since we added an assistance dog in training to the family.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Remember the rule of three. Give them three days to settle - provide a safe place for them to retreat to and give them space to come to you.

Upsetting images but great to see a happy ending! Meet Walter.

Dog Owner’s Name:
Zeffrienne

Dog(s) name:
Walter

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@jspcaanimalsshelter
Dog’s age when rescued:
9 years old

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
He had covered in sores/skin infection, mostly bald oozing skin, infected ears, blind, mouth infection, tumors, reactive, extremely weak- couldn’t walk up or down stairs/couldn’t stand up from a sit, emaciated, very empty- he was not there mentally at all there was just nothing and very slow/ could get stuck easily even just trying to walk through a door

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Amazing, he’s so friendly with people and other dogs- even became a therapy dog, all tumors removed and teeth removed/ treated, fur has grown back (mostly except some areas where the skin was too bad like where his collar was digging into his neck), ear canals removed and is currently traveled to the uk (from the Channel Islands) for eye surgery to try give him some sight back, he does agility (not well but he participates 😂), learning tricks- slowly, very slowly, off lead, fit walking 10-15 miles per day, loves attention, loves rolling in rocks so we’ve made him a rock pool in the garden to roll in, he’s so sweet and is definitely super greedy and spends hours sitting by the treat jar crying waiting for someone to give him one.

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Take time to meet the animals and speak with the rescue and find one that will best fit you and your lifestyle. Spending a bit of time getting to know the animals and letting the rescue get to know you will help make everything much smoother and easier for both you and your new family member. I foster animals regularly and I always make sure I do my best to match them to the best fit, sometimes it’s not that a home isn’t suitable for any animal but just the one animal in particular and they would be better off with a different personality.

Meet Paris! Such a smiley dog! ❤️🐶

Dog Owner’s Name:
Paula

Dog(s) name:
Paris

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@battersea

Dog’s age when rescued:
2

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Paris was very shy, she was scared of people, she was afraid to go for walks, she would bark at visitors and run away and hide. She was underweight.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
She is a shinning star ! She got very confident, she is very loving, she always wants to make sure the she is as close to you as possible , she loves her walkies and meeting new people, visitors are not scary any more ! Now it’s a chance to make new friends, she got a little chunky as well :)

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Before you do have a good think about what sort of personality you are looking for in a dog but at the same time remember that rescue dogs had traumatic past and it takes them time to come out of their shell, but please do give them the chance that they deserve!

Meet Barney & Fred!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Carole & Craig Garrod
Dog(s) name:
Barney - Saluki and Fred - Lab Pointer
Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Barney from Battersea Windsor @battersea and Fred from a kill-shelter in Portugal
Dog’s age when rescued:
Around 9 months
What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Barney was a pleaser. Very quiet and the day we got him, he refused to walk our way, so about face we went. As the days and weeks went on, and with Fred giving him some confidence, he improved but always had that wistful look. We were told by Battersea there was no chase instinct which is why re-homed by travellers.
Fred, clearly had a traumatic crossing from Portugal. So very shy, didn’t want to come in the house, drooled and panted constantly especially when a car journey was on the cards (we had vomit for weeks in the car), and wore a nervous dog collar. Had never lived in a house and everything was about survival for him and being so very scared of everything.
What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Barney - a ball chasing, paddock loving, aloof and “on my own terms” Saluki. He smiles, he chats, he shows affection when he wants to. My husband is clearly his human.
Fred - affectionately called little brown terror, waga-muffin, bunny chaser (and bunny poop eater) and my absolute soul dog. The only thing he is afraid of now, is missing out on an adventure!
Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
My tips - give them time.
It is so true the 3’s approach. It took months for Barney to feel secure enough to show his cheeky and mischievous nature. Go at their pace and read the body language. Think how overwhelming the world and everything is - they don’t know that you will keep them safe with all the new things, until you show them and they experience it for themselves.

🐶It isn’t too late to get involved too and share your story. It’s easy to do on our website and takes a couple of minutes. AND everyone who takes part gets a FREE visit to Darling Dogs!

PART 2
What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Bella Bear is a completely different dog to when we first met. It’s taken a long 3 years co there to realise that people aren’t the enemy. Through the patience of myself, my children and Bruno Bear, she is nothing short of being a light in our world. We thought we were saving her but she became our saviour. She now greets people, loves being stroked and my favourite part is when we are out walking and she decides to have zoomies on the lead, I literally hold on for dear life! When she’s running around feels, looking like something out of Bambi, she looks and feels like the true definition of what happiness looks like. I will forever be grateful to Hungary Hearts for saving her life and bringing so much happiness into ours.
Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Patience and lots of it. Don’t try to train, expect that it can take years to see small improvements but when they do come, the immense proudness is completely overwhelming and filled with so much joy.

PART 1 Meet Bella Bear. So inspiring to see the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pics showing such a drastic, rewarding and positive change over time.

Dog(s) name:
Bella Bear
Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
@hungaryheartsdogrescue
Dog’s age when rescued:
5 years
What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Bella had been rescued from Hungary. She’d been a street dog for a full 5 years and was placed in a kill shelter. When she arrived over in the UK on the “Happy Bus”, she was the last one to come off. She was scared, timid and had her tail down, who could blame her, for the life she’d endured had been nothing short of cruel. I made introductions to my husky Bruno Bear outside of our home, he has been Bella’s greatest teacher and they instantly clicked. When taking her home, she’d never been on lead and struggled to be inside a house so I left the doors to the back garden open for her so she could feel more safe. When it came to feeding, she would take bites and then run out into the garden with her food, slowly realising that her food wasn’t going anywhere and it would be a consistent supply. When it came to affection, I would let her come to me, I always stroked her under her chin so she didn’t feel threatened by my interaction. Her nature is completely pure and kind but had zero faith in people and their intentions.

Meet ‘Nettle’! Gorgeous pup!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Karen Cameron-Taylor
Dog(s) name:
Nettle
Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Merlin’s Haven Dog Rescue (Cyprus based) @merlins_haven
Dog’s age when rescued:
Initially a newborn pup who had been abandoned with siblings and was rescued by Merlin’s in Cyprus. At 4 or 5 months old she was brought to the UK where she was fostered and adopted, but then handed back at 16 months old which was when we adopted her.
What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
She was house trained and knew some basic commands. She had been living with a couple of other dogs and other animals such as cats, on a farm. She was reactive to other dogs and men, particularly if they were wearing dark ‘workmen-like’ clothes and boots. She was calm and friendly with us (me, and my adult daughter) and travelled well in the car when we went to pick her up. She hadn’t done much walking out on a lead.
She was off her food for a few days at first, but settled well at night and slept through. We felt so lucky as we’d been trying for a dog for months and kept waiting for the trouble to start!!
What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
She is a joy! Still a little wary of strangers, but lets herself be reassured. She doesn’t bark quite so much at other dogs, and still needs work on walking without pulling when on the lead. She’s funny, and so loving, liking nothing better than to be curled up in between us on the sofa, or at the end of daughter’s bed.
Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Do lots of research into the organisation and find out as much as you can about the dog’s background.
And go for it!

🐶It isn’t too late to get involved too and share your story. It’s easy to do on our website and takes a couple of minutes. AND everyone who takes part gets a FREE visit to Darling Dogs!

Meet Penny!

Dog Owner’s Name:
Kelly Smith
Dog(s) name:
Penny
Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
National animal welfare trust Berkshire @nawtuk
Dog’s age when rescued:
9 months
What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Penny was a very shy and quiet with people but she loved my other dog and they were very playful and happy to be with eachother from day one.
What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
I’ve had Penny now two years. She now will wag her tail and be super happy to see me. She has passed her kennel club good citizen bronze award and is a beginner agility dog. She also comes with me to horse shows and loves being a lorry dog.
Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Be realistic with your expectations in the dog. Make sure to do your research into the breed and don’t rush into finding a dog. When they do come home give them lots of time and space to work out there surroundings and your routines.

🐶It isn’t too late to get involved too and share your story. It’s easy to do on our website and takes a couple of minutes. AND everyone who takes part gets a FREE visit to Darling Dogs!

Welcome to our Darling Dogs Rescue Awareness Month over the months of July and August. Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing stories (like ours below) of our fellow enclosure users and their wonderful rescue dogs.

If you’d also like to share your story and earn a free visit we’d love to hear from you. Details are easily found on our website.

Dog Owner’s Name (Optional):
Karen Holland

Dog(s) name:
Boyd (Beagle Cross), Darcie (Blonde Lurcher) & Sefton (Brindle Lurcher)

Rescue Centre / Form of Rescue:
Boyd (Private Rescue), Darcie (Forever Hounds @foreverhoundstrust ) & Sefton (Dog’s Trust Newbury @dogstrust_newbury)

Dog’s age when rescued:
All under a year old

What your rescue dog(s) was like with to begin with:
Boyd - Needed some house training but this didn’t take long. He luckily took well to the other dogs that were already here. We took him to training classes straight away which are still ongoing.
Darcie - Bit wild. Extremely prey driven. Couldn’t be let off in an open area. But thankfully very personable and social with other dogs.
Sefton - Quite strong minded but kind. He took to training very well and achieved a number ‘Good Citizen Dog Scheme’ awards.

What your rescue dog(s) is like now:
Boyd - Calmer and has much better manners. His social skills are getting better and he especially loves children.
Darcie - Still massively prey driven and can’t be let off unless in a safe enclosure. A proper couch potato and a terrific companion.
Sefton - Very intelligent and can turn his paw to most things. Over the years he has tried scent work and agility. Has always been very keen to please. Also, a good guard dog!

Any general tips you’d give to anyone thinking about rescuing a dog:
Try not to cut corners. Make sure you have a terrific vet and good insurance. Be prepared to go walking in all weather. They unfortunately often don’t come trained so be ready to log the hours yourself. Ultimately owning a dog is a huge responsibility and shouldn’t be entered into on a whim.

We'd love your vote in the annual @britishdogfields Secure Dog Enclosure competition!

Vote here!
https://click.convertkit-mail2.com/n4u0g6g8r0cvhxo4v8kb6h6pq0kggalhogwrm/9qh99nz3tnhdlp48zvs9/aHR0cHM6Ly9icml0aXNoZG9nZmllbGRzLmNvbS9icml0aXNoLWRvZy1maWVsZC1vZi10aGUteWVhci0yMDI1LTIv

RESCUE DOG OWNERS! WE NEED YOUR HELP!

At Darling Dogs of May, we understand how enriching and rewarding rescuing dogs can be. Over the years, we've rescued a number of dogs in need and we can attest to this. All of our current dogs are rescues.

Throughout the months of July & August, we'd like to raise awareness of Dog Rescue by inviting our Paddock and Parkour Arena users to share their (and their dog's) stories. We'd love to hear your accounts so we can educate and highlight what it's ACTUALLY like to rescue a dog in need. We want to dispell the myths and also relay the reality.

So what would we like from you? On our website, you can find a contact form where you can share your account of rescuing a dog, share pictures and, ultimately, help us to highlight what it is really like.

https://www.darlingdogsofmay.co.uk/dog-rescue-awareness-month

Oh, and as a reward, you'll receive a FREE visit to one of our enclosures (your choice as to which one).

🐕‍🦺🐕🧙🏿‍♀️🪄CUTE ALERT INCOMING!

Some of you may already know that we host Dog and Puppy parties at Darling Dogs!

However, it was awesome to see one party take this even further and throw a Harry Potter themed gathering over the weekend in our Paddock!

We can't take any credit for the HP themed accessories and decorations but doesn't it look like great fun!

Thanks for coming and we hope you had a 'magical' time! 🧙🏿‍♀️🐕🐕‍🦺🪄

What better place to take your pups than at Darling Dogs on a sunny, beautiful day?!

Shade, water bathing pool, obstacles, open ground for zoomies, picnic benches.

📣📣Just a quick little announcement 📣📣

Especially useful when it's super hot and you'd like cooler times of the day!

Book now!

A few huffs and puffs (and perhaps some curse words 👀) and we got there eventually. Perhaps the longest '2 hour assembly time' ever.

There is another shelter back up in the Paddock to stay in the shade ☀️ and out of the rain ☔.

Enjoy everyone!

DD team

No no… Believe it or not, these are not photoshopped images. These were taken the other week during a “Pomski Party” we hosted. A litter reunion with dog owners converging from all over the country. Such a great idea with such adorable dogs! 🐶🎉🥳 @cosmic_pomskies_uk Thanks for the awesome pics!

Long may this beautiful weather last!

The Parkour Arena and the Paddock (from April) will now be open til 6pm every day!

Enjoy! 🌞🐕‍🦺🐕

😡 We thought there were already enough obstacles and toys to play with in our enclosures so dog owners wouldn't need to resort to letting their dogs devour our puppy pools. Clearly not.

One or two bites before you'd noticed we'd understand but to completely finish it off like this and hide it behind the shelter. Real classy 👍

To all our decent enclosure users, we continue to hugely appreciate your custom. But this isn't the first time our equipment has been poorly treated and completely ruined. Not even the fifth or sixth time.

Best wishes,

A really disheartened DD team

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Darling Dogs!

🎁🎄🎅🐩🐕🦮🐕‍🦺

Our lot have been causing havoc today! Hope your gorgeous pups have been up to mischief too!

Some of you may have already noticed that our shelter in the Paddock fell victim to the storm. This unfortunately means that for now there isn't anywhere in there to hide away from any nasty weather. We're working on finding a replacement and will update once it's finished.

The Parkour Arena is fine.

Please remember to fasten the gates in place when you leave.

Stay safe!

DD team

🎅🛷Looking for a stocking filler?🎁🎄

Our E-Cards are ideal. Send us the customized message that you'd like added to it and we'll prepare it for you. It can either be printed or emailed to your loved one.

Prices start from £14 for two visits.

Check out our website for further info.

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 to the winners of our photo competition!

@finlayandskyla , Autumn, Noel & Figgy
Duke & Twiglet
Sybil @sybil.mr.fox.and.betty.boo

We personally thought that all of our entrants were winners in their own right! We absolutely adored seeing so many of your dogs enjoying our enclosures!

So a huge thank you to everyone involved from the owners sending in pictures to the people that voted. You certainly kept us busy with nearly 300 votes across our social media!

Coming from Thatcham direction in the next couple of days?

Road closure on Thornford Road to have a think about. Might need to set off a little earlier and find a detour.

📷🐕‍🦺CAST YOUR VOTES FOR THE FINALISTS!📸🦮

We had our work cut out because we LOVED all of the pics everyone submitted but we had to pick some finalists eventually! So here they are. Dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes...

Meet...
A) Bonnie
B) Finley, Skyla, Noel, Autumn & Figgy
C) Sybil
D) Duke & Twiglet
E) Rafi
F)Teddy & Tilly
G) Brinkley
H) Otto
I) Rolo

*HOW TO VOTE*
✍🏼 All voting will take place in the comments section of our Insta and Facebook pages. So cast your vote here. Simply write the letter or letters for the pictures you choose. I.e. M & Y. You'll see the letter for each picture in the bottom left.
🦮🐕‍🦺 Can't decide between your favourites? You can vote for TWO pictures if you'd like. Or one, either way is fine by us.
1️⃣ Once you've picked your favourite(s) you only get to vote on one occasion.
📍Like, share and tag our posts so that friends (that perhaps aren't following us already) can get involved too!
🗓️ Voting closes on the 14th September 2024
🥇🥈🥉 1st, 2nd & 3rd place will be announced on the 15th September 2024

Best of luck everyone!

Entry into our photo competition is now CLOSED!

Thanks to all who have entered. We've thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of your pictures. Your dogs all look like they have such fun in our enclosures. It's great to see.

Our finalists will be posted later this evening where we'll also have instructions on how to votebfor your favourite.

Thanks again everyone!

DD team

Look at these gorgeous posers!

Final weekend to enter our photo competition everyone! 📸🦮🐕‍🦺📷🐕

Meet...
Sybil, loves posing, sniffing and cheese! Standing on things is her favourite! (Charlotte)

Louis, the excited young staffy cross who loves to run, jump and explore all of the obstacles in both the Paddock and Parkour Arena! (Phoebe)

Peggy, the 6 month old border terrier who loves to run and chase, say hello to everyone, and find new places to explore.

They just keep rolling in! We're absolutely loving all of the gorgeous photos that you've all been submitting! We can't quite believe it but we've had over 75 of our users send in over 200 photos!

You're all making it incredibly difficult for us to choose our finalists! Therefore we're extending the deadline by a couple of days. Submissions will be accepted up until Sunday evening this weekend.

Meet...
Cooper with his friend. This lovely 2 year old cavapoo loves cheese and kisses! (Tamara)

Pippa the rescue dog from @dogstrust_newbury . (Cathy)

Fendi who loves zoomies around with a ball! (Jodie)

Wow! How did you manage to coordinate this bunch? Deserve a medal! 🥇

Meet...
Finley, Skyla, Noel & Figgy. They love zoomies and exploring in our enclosures where they can safely run around without having to worry about other dogs. (Katie)

Otto, the 5 month old Dutch Herder who has been gradually growing into his paws! (Jessica)

Teddy & Tilly. Two Pomeranian besties who love the paddock. Teddy loves tennis balls whilst Tilly enjoys the agility equipment. (Fiona & Holly)

Don't forget folks, only 7 days left to enter our competition. We've already had over 75 owners enter already! So if you're wondering why we haven't featured your photos yet it's because we've only made it to those from early July so far!

Not long to get your photo entries in! As you can see, the competition is hitting up! 🔥

Meet...
Bonnie! One of the smallest dogs we must have visiting our Paddock! (Cassie)

Cleo who absolutely loves, loves, loves running!

Bella, who, in her owner's words, not ours 😂 is apparently not the brightest spark but a loveable loon! (Vicky)

Not long to get your photo competition entries in. 10th August is when it closes!

Meet...
Bozo, the happy, laughing dog who loves exploring the Darling Dogs paddock!

Perry & Maui, two best friends who met playing fly ball! Both collies are obsessed with fetch and would do anything for a tennis ball!

Bella & Teddy. Bella unfortunately passed away recently but used to love coming to Darling Dogs. As you can see, Teddy loves using the equipment at our enclosures! (Derrin)

📸📷🐕‍🦺🦮🐕📷📸

Gorgeous pups enjoying our enclosures under the sun! 🌞🦮🐕🐕‍🦺

Meet...
Molly, a 9.5 year old Pomeranian. She doesn't let health issues in her legs stop her in the Paddock! Wasn't she brave, going through our tunnel! (Rosa)

Boo, an 8 month old Chihuahua cross Shihtzu. He loves visiting with his best friend Rolo. (Megan)

Jack, a spaniel, full of energy. Still working on his recall, our enclosures are perfect for those still learning. (Hannah)

Check out these pups in action! All just complete naturals behind the camera! 🐶🦮🐕‍🦺📷📸

Meet...

Brinkley the 2 year old cockapoo who loves learning about detecting objects and people by scent. As you can see, he also loves whizzing around our paddock! (Sarah-Jayne)

Skye & Luna. Two Labradors that are best of friends! Skye is obsessed with ball and Luna wants whatever Skye has! (Ashley & Lisa)

Arlo the 2 year old springer who loves the parkour arena, come rain or shine! ☔ (Holly)

It isn't just small dogs that whizz around our agility equipment. As these brave pups show, the bigger dogs can be just as brave!

Meet...
Jake. A rescue from Cyprus who, to begin with, wouldn't even jump over a pole. Now look at him! (Sam)

Max! For him, ball is life! (Kat)

Trudy loving life in the paddock! (Maria)

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@darlingdogsofmay

facebook

Follow us on social media for details of promotions and money saving vouchers

INSTAGRAM

About Me

ABOUT US

I know it’s hard to admit it but sometimes walking with man’s best friend can be challenging. Does your dog pull so hard you almost lose your balance? We can help with that.

Does he sometimes show aggression to other dogs? We can help with that too.

Have you or your dog ever been in fear from the presence of a loose dog running up to you? We can definitely help with that!

All of the most common problems associated with walking or exercising your dog can be addressed at our Activity Parks. We can provide a safe haven for you and your best friend to spend some quality time together safe in the knowledge that you will not be harmed or disturbed in any way. Our securely fenced dog parks will keep your dog in and all others out and it is yours to enjoy during your hire period. Play with the toys, let your dog use the equipment, practise what you have been learning in your dog training classes or just sit quietly and let your dog wander while you enjoy your time and space.

Our Activity Parks

Set next the River Enborne, our picturesque site is the ideal place to bring your dog for a private play time in one of our safely enclosed dog activity parks. Our areas are large enough for your dog to let loose whilst also being conveniently sized so that you can also see your pet.

LEARN MORE