Elliephants

8 questions to ask yourself before getting a dog

Vinnie

Along with many others, we got a dog at the start of lockdown. Not knowing what was to follow and naively thinking we may only work from home for a matter of weeks, we initially fostered him. However, a few months later, after much thought and consideration as to whether he would fit into our life post-pandemic, we decided to adopt him. 

In March last year, rescue centres were rehoming dogs faster than ever before. The Sunday before lockdown, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home alone had 1200 applications. Likewise, according to Dogs Trust, during the first month of restrictions, searches for ‘buy a puppy’ were up 120%. This high demand for them resulted in prices being more than doubled – but this didn’t deter those looking for a lockdown companion. 

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Short Story: Holly and Ivy

Short Story: Holly and Ivy

Ivy ducked her head beneath the tinsel that had been draped across the top of the kennel in an attempt to make the place feel festive. Before she had even put the bowl of food that was in her hand on the floor, a wet snout was pressed into her legs and big brown eyes gazed up at her. ‘Morning Amber,’ she cooed, giving the dog a quick tickle behind the ears. ‘Look what I’ve got for you, honey’’ she chuckled as she placed the bowl on the floor and watched the small golden dog tuck straight in. 

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7 ways to look after your mental wellbeing during lockdown

7 ways to look after your mental wellbeing during lockdown

This year has been tough and left many of us in a pretty bad headspace. Personally, I think I’ve cried and felt anxious more this year than in my other 31 years put together. If the pandemic wasn’t enough, 2020 has just felt like one bad thing after another. 

That being said, one positive for me (aside from our rescue dog Vinnie, of course!) is that being forced to stay at home and slow down has meant that I’ve taken more time for self-care. 

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Fireworks: bang out of order?

Fireworks: bang out of order?

Remember, remember the fifth of November… is actually quite a terrifying night for a lot of animals.   

Each year, thousands of people wrap up warm to head outside and watch in awe as fireworks shoot up into an explosion of bright colours high above their head. However, those loud bangs and flashes of light that we ‘ohh’ and ‘ahh’ over, can be incredibly frightening for our pooches. So those with dogs may well be at home, trying to comfort their four-legged friend instead. 

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Rescue dog: fostering during lockdown

Rescue dog: fostering during lockdown

Nearly four months after I left the office to work – and stay – at home for the foreseeable future, I couldn’t be more grateful for the decision I made in the first week – to foster a dog. 

Since moving out of my family home where we have had a dog for as long as I can remember, I’ve been desperate for one of my own. The only thing that had been preventing me from doing that wasn’t going to be an issue for the foreseeable future. So, with lockdown imminent, I had started looking into fostering. If there was ever a better time to offer a dog in need a home, it was now. 

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