We took our dogs for a walk today. It was a hot day (by UK standards) so we knew we would have to keep it short, walk in the woods where it was shady, let them paddle in the river and give them lots of water to drink. And when we ate our lunch we would find a table in the shade where we would all sit together. Before we set out on the walk, Anthony and I both wanted to visit the toilets. I popped in first while he waited with the dogs, then he went in while I stood outside with the dogs.

Here's some great advice from the RCVS about vacation care for your dogs:

‘Include veterinary care in holiday plans,’ advises the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
If you are holidaying with your pet this summer, remember to find out about the arrangements for out-of-hours emergencies at a local veterinary practice before you go, advises the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). 

“Julie, I don’t know how to tell you this. It’s Luna.” Those were the words that issued from my mobile phone as I stood in the goat enclosure of a theme park in Cornwall. My Mom was at my house caring for the dogs, cats and the rest of the menagerie while we took a week’s break. Now she was ringing me with the news that every pet sitter – or indeed pet owner - dreads most; one of those in her care, despite her best attentions, had died.

Luna was one of our much loved, and looked after cats. She was an affectionate, agile, dainty, beautiful tortoiseshell cat. She was always the more active of the two kittens we brought home only nine months ago. She never caught up

I interviewed Catherine O'Driscoll in Episode 96 of DogCast Radio, and she talked about her personal experiences that lead her to found Canine Health Concern. She is very worried about the amount of animal vaccination going on, and it is indeed a worrying subject. We all want to do the best we can for our dogs, but it can seem we are trying to pick our way through a minefield. Here is the latest news from Canine Health Concern: