Joe's blog from Peak Holidays

Hello

Hello, I'm Joe. I'm an 4 year old Labrador. As my humans started this blog, I thought I should paw a few words so the puppies amongst you will know where you can go and what there is to sniff in the Peak District.

This picture is of me now - I used the cute puppy picture on my humans page to draw you into my page - though I'm still cute!

Don't forget your toothbrush

Now, you're probably thinking about your holidays for this year and where to go. Have you thought about staying in a cottage in the Peak District? Oh, it's just smashing... lots of walks suitable for youngsters (the mix of villages, open country and hills are so good for their education, I think) to those in their prime (see my current picture!) and the more mature members of our packs (we have pubs within yards of all our cottages). All those incredible country smells... you know what I mean. Anyway, when you've cleared it with your owners and chosen one of our cottages you'll have to supervise them packing for your needs.

Make sure they remember:

Collar and ID - well you'll be wearing this of course! But it's worth checking the ID is still readable. Plus consider getting one with our cottage postcode (this is on the booking paperwork) and your mobile number on for while you're staying.
Lead - worth checking that there's no wear - you don't want to lose your owners on a walk - you know that they'll never find their way back to the cottage without you. Bring a spare in case it gets mislaid.
Bedding - very important. There is nothing as nice as your own bed in a new place. If you have a cage, then bring that too - sometimes a cage is the only way to get some "me" time on a holiday crammed with so many new things to smell!
Jacket - now you (like me) may wear your waterproofs and undercoat all the time - but if you don't it's nice to have a lightweight jacket which you can pop on. And your owners will appreciate that you're nice and clean and dry if you get caught in the rain.
Towels - for those like me who just love a little swim, walks in the rain and splashing in puddles, the price to be paid is a towelling-off when you get home. Bring plenty of towels, so your owners can dry off any wet, muddy coats and paws before you go indoors (there are washer/dryers in the cottages so the towels can be laundered easily). Although we've got hard floors in the cottages, there are rugs that stain and splashes of dirty water from a good shake aren't popular I've found!
Dog food - essential! It's probably best to bring enough for the whole of your stay in case your owners can't find your normal kibbles (or whatever you have) to buy locally. There are all the usual supermarkets and pet shops in the Peak District, but you don't want to get an upset tum from a sudden change if they don't have your favourite in stock!! We provide can openers for those of you who have canned food which doesn't have a pull top.
Travelling water bowl and water bottle - these are handy for keeping in the car. Get your owners to look out for those thermal 'jackets' that keep the water bottle cool. Saves drinking from puddles on a hot day!
Poo bags - not my idea, but my owners insist I include this on the list. They say bring plenty - 'nuff said'.
First-aid kit - get your owners to check that are you up to speed with wormers and flea/ tick control. I always think it's good to have at least a basic first aid kit with you for the little scrapes we dogs can get into - and you really ought to check your owners remember any medication you've been prescribed to cover the holiday period, however nasty it tastes!
Sunshade for cars - although you'll be staying in our cool, stone cottages and perhaps eating in local pubs - which allow we dogs to join our owners for dinner, it is possible that at some point you'll be left guarding the car (although hopefully not on warm days). Suggest your owners try sun shades to help with this - as well as the usual parking in shade, leaving air gaps etc. It all helps you stay on top of your job of looking out for strangers near the car.
Stain remover/ kitchen roll - for those ‘Little accidents' that can occasionally happen, even to the best of us! You'll find cleaners and kitchen roll in the cottages, but worth bringing some for when you are out and about.
Recent photo - now what owner won't have a picture of you on their phone and so useful if you get separated. Spruce yourself up and get a fresh one taken for your hols!
Bumbag/rucksack - for your owners to carry your accessories in!

And finally Don't forget that toothbrush...

Undercarriage up, paws to automatic

Joe jumping in the snow After a day jumping and playing in the wonderful Peak District, you need to allow your owner to have a rest and a recuperative drink.

Many like to go to the local pub, and all the cottages have good pubs locally that welcome well behaved dogs. Here are my suggestions:

Church Corner Cottage: The George Hotel only 1 minute from the cottage welcomes dogs in the tap room. At the other end of the village - 5 minutes walk - the Farmyard Inn also makes us dogs welcome.

Hillocks Cottage & The Nook: The Red Lion is 2 minutes walk from either cottage and makes us dogs very welcome. Get there early to secure the table by the fire!

Keeping Safe

In the Peak District us dogs need to be extra careful not to leave our owners. I think it is best to insist to your human that you stay on your lead at all times when you are near the farm animals.

The people at Natural England have published a countryside code, which we all need to keep in mind when we visit the countryside.

Walkies

During your stay your owners will be taking you out with them hopefully on long walks around the Peak District. However, when we are closer to home, us dogs like a little trot out for a quick sniff and things (you know!). I have tested the facilities near all the cottages and can report they are very good. Here are my favourites:

Church Corner Cottage: Get your human to walk for a few minutes down the hill by the church and you are in Bradford Dale. You can have a nice walk along the river to stretch your legs. There is even a circular walk through the dale and then back up through the village - a nice 15 minutes stroll before you go back to lie by the log fire.
Hillocks Cottage & The Nook: There is a little lane next to the pub (50 yards from the cottage). Walk up the lane and you come to open fields where you can have a good look round. Veer off to the right when you are in the fields and you can walk round to the top of the village and then back down to the cottage. All done in 20 minutes, but a lot longer if you want to walk further through the fields - follow the right of way signs.

And don't forget to ensure your human brings some bags with them; one full of treats and the other just in case of a deposit (you know!).

House rules

Whenever you go to someone else's cottage it is always best to understand the house rules before you go. In conjunction with my humans, I have agreed the following house rule on behalf of all dogs staying at the cottages:

Ensure the humans keep off the floors at all times - these are strictly for dogs to lie on. If they must sit down make sure they use the chairs provided. To ensure they have no excuse for sitting on the floor, you should not get up on the furniture.
I have found that the humans have some odd bedroom and washing habits. Therefore, it is best that you keep out of the bedrooms and bathrooms at all times - stick to the living areas of the cottage where you can be cosy and the bonus is you avoid their snoring, which only keeps you awake all night.
Do not allow yourself to be left at the cottage on your own. How would they like to be locked in a strange place alone? It is your holiday too and those humans need to find places to go where you are welcome - and there are plenty of them in the Peak District, so there are no excuses!