Just like all of you pet owners out there, being a vet and a pet owner you will understand when I say that I want to be the type of owner that when I look into Ruff’s adoring eyes he is expecting me to be. Our dogs have no expectations of us at all and this is what drives us to be the best owners we possibly can – we will never reach our own high standards as our love for them transcends all our understanding.
Ruff is the first ‘person’ I speak to and greet in the morning (I always leave a sleeping household) to prioritise Ruff’s walk and breakfast before prioritising anything else in my day.
We go out regardless of the weather or darkness – although he always cuts our walk short when it is raining!!
So with all of this in mind, when it came time to planning our annual family holiday, we could not possibly organise it for ourselves – we planned it to take Ruff to the seaside. We visited the beautiful beaches and coastlines of Cornwall for our half term break. He just adored the freedom of running on the beach making friends with anyone he came across – dog or human, and everyone loved him. The joy you feel on holiday with your pets who are enjoying themselves is immense.
Cornwall seems more geared to the dog visitors than to the owners with certain beaches and restaurants catering more for pets than owners!
The Padstow museum is free to visit (donations only) and offers a wonderful insight into the early days of the town. One photo in particular caught my eye. It was a photo of families enjoying themselves on the same beaches we visited but in the 1890’s, and it was evident how even then, our dogs formed such a large part of our lives. The dogs were included in the photos and just like Ruff, they were also included in the family holiday!
Another display that caught my eye in the museum was that of a sign saying ‘Spratt’s Ovals’. These were in fact the very first processed dog biscuits ever made that started the dog food mania that we have today where we are brainwashed into believing (as vets and as pet owners) that only the large corporates know how to feed our pets correctly!

Bronze Age dogs ate little meat
Fascinating article showing how Bronze Age dogs ate little meat and had to feed on cereals instead
The most effective Omega 3’s for your dog
We recommend these Omega 3 capsules above the other brands as they …..
What can go wrong when choosing to homecook?
I have been contacted by so many owners feeding their dogs plant-based and some of their dogs have had issues with painful urinary crystals…..
Worries about colitis in your dog?
Colitis is one of the most common conditions that we see in dogs with digestive issues
Spring Supplement Special
We have frozen our prices to pre-Brexit levels for the next 6 weeks only and while stocks last. Please no more than 2 tubs per owner!
Do dogs on a vegan diet live longer?
We have Bramble the dog who wanted to live forever as proof that vegan diets help our pets live longer healthier lives
Will a vegan dog food diet affect my dog’s behaviour?
Owners of dogs on plant-based diets do report that their pets appear happier and calmer
Top Vegan Dog Dental Chews
Which dental plant-based chews are advised by our vet and which should you avoid?
Rupert had crystals from eating Benevo
Rupert suffered from an extremely painful urinary tract infection and blood in his urine which ultimately led to him needing surgery
New Year’s Intentions
We have chosen to share dear little Simba’s weight loss story and the advice given as it may echo your own experience
Vet Reflections Of 2020
They say that to be truly happy, you need to have gratitude and I have to end the year with thanks to these wonderful people (and dogs)
Wispa’s guilty pleasures
We live in a zero carbon house. Wispa seriously offsets our carbon savings!