Pet Friendly Brighton with Kate Lawler

Welcome to our first instalment of a brand new pet friendly travel feature with the lovely Kate Lawler and her two dogs, Baxter and Kevin. Over the next few issues we will be taking Kate, Baxter and Kevin on a tour of different pet friendly hotels and areas across the UK.

Meet Kate…
In January 2011 I became a dog owner. I now have two – Baxter a 1 year old Border Terrier and Kevin, a 7 month old Yorkie. I cannot imagine life without dogs now that I have them but with my job, over the past year I’ve found it quite difficult.

I’m a DJ, and at least two weekends a month I drive up and down the country to DJ at various nightclubs. It’s great fun but I also use it as an opportunity to take my dogs on a little adventure, so we can explore the beautiful english countryside, beaches and woodland together. The only downside is that I haven’t found a great deal of ‘Dog Friendly’ Hotels and most of the time, the promoter will book a hotel for me that isn’t pet friendly meaning the dogs stay at home with my partner and I travel alone. So I decided to review Dog Friendly Hotels for K9 Magazine and our first stop is BRIGHTON.

Brighton is in East Sussex, on the south coast of Great Britain. Popular with tourists and day-trippers, it offers something for everyone. Beautiful restaurants, cool and funky bars, lovely beaches and parks as well as being the shopping destination from heaven. It is also one of the most cultural cities in Europe. We are visiting The Oriental Hotel…..

Friday 7pm: Bags packed, car filled with petrol, Baxter and Kevin strapped safely in the back seat and off we go. Goodbye Birmingham, see you in a couple of days.

Friday 10pm: A pretty smooth journey, both the doggies well behaved although we’ve only had Kevin one week and he’d not been in a car before meeting us. He was a very nervous traveller and was sick just as we pulled up out side The Oriental Hotel (much to the annoyance of my other half Adam – it went all over his cardigan).

Friday 10:30pm: Sick cleaned up, car unloaded, we look as though we’re staying for a month with the amount of luggage we’re carrying! Check in was easy and the staff are very friendly. As you enter The Oriental, it’s warm and small, but not dingy. Very cosy in fact. A cute cocktail bar on the ground floor also acts as the reception area and to the left of it are around 6 tables with chairs, where breakfast is served.

Friday 12am: After returning home from a local pub with friends, we find Kevin and Baxter snuggled up on the beautiful chocolate brown suede sofa in our suite. We are in Room 7, the very top of the building. It is quiet and secluded which is perfect for us but I guess the only down side is that we’re having to go down 3 flights of stairs to take the boys out for wee wee’s. Still, every cloud – climbing stairs is good for you!

The room is spacious, and well thought out. A living area as you enter, with a gorgeous and modern red and white bathroom off of it. It’s open plan which I like and as you move in to the room to our left is a beautiful big and extremely comfortable bed. Wooden flooring is a bonus in case the doggies have any accidents. We fall asleep and look forward to walkies the next day.

Saturday 10am: The memory foam mattress was divine! We all slept well. Kevin and Baxter woke me at 8am licking my face. I popped them on their leads, guided them down the stairs and walked out of the hotel so they could pee. As I look to my left I can see the sea! A 1 minute walk down to the beach and the boys are off their leads running like lunatics across the pebbles towards the sea. Baxter braves it and enjoys a brief splash in the sea while Kevin watches with caution.

Back to the hotel and breakfast is served. Delicious. Coffee, juices, granola covered in natural yoghurt with fresh fruit followed by a full english fry up and that’s us full up for the day! We then took the dogs to a park which was 15 minutes away by foot. The park is full of dogs, playing, running, chasing squirrels it’s a lovely sunny day, blue skies and surprisingly warm for October.

Saturday 4pm: After leaving the park and walking to the beach for half an hour play with our friends 2 Staffies, Baxter and Kevin are shattered but Rhian from Brighton Dog Photography is waiting at The Oriental Hotel for todays photo shoot. Some of the shots are taken in the hotel room which is warm and comfortable, then it’s down to the pier for the final few pictures. It’s chilly but fun. I think the dogs enjoyed it.

Saturday 11pm: What a day, Adam and I have just returned from The Ginger Dog. An extraordinary Gastro-Pub in Kemp Town serving the most magnificent and mouth watering hearty and filling food. The staff were lovely and to top it off it’s a dog friendly restaurant. Kevin and Baxter did not join us tonight as they were fast asleep at the hotel. It was nice to have some alone time with Adam as well. Bed time now and I’ve never seen the doggies look so tired. Today has worn them both out but I’ve a feeling they’ve loved every minute of Brighton.

Sunday 11:30am: I was right, Kevin and Baxter were exhausted. They slept until 9am! Bliss. We took them to the beach for their walk this morning and returned to enjoy the hotels fantastic breakfast again before check out. I almost feel as though I’ve got to know the staff despite only staying for two nights. We say our goodbyes and drive home to Birmingham.

The Oriental Hotel is a more like a B&B but very Boutiquey which makes it unique and personable. The rooms are clean, fresh and modern. I’d recommend it to anyone, in fact I’ve already recommended it to my friend who’s going to Brighton next weekend with her family and they’re going to stay there. With rooms starting at around £75 you can’t go wrong and that’s including breakfast. Dogs are most welcome too which is perfect. The location gets 10 out 10 too. 5-10 minutes from Brighton Pier by foot. 2 minutes from the beach. 15 minutes from a beautiful park and shops, restaurants and bars are on the doorstep and a car park just around the corner. An incredible start to my Dog Friendly Hotel Reviews.

Article by Kate Lawler for K9 Magazine

Recommended travel items from Scruff MacDuff -

Ruffwear Highlands Bed

Clix Car Safe Travel Harness
For more information regarding vehicle restrains for your dog click here


Car Seat Protector

Deals of the Week

Deals of the Week

Blimey!  Is it November already?  Here are our Deals for this Week for the first time in November - 

Magnetic Dog Underlay

Recommended for the aged dog, and/or those who are suffering from arthritis or rheumatism, this magnetic underlay containing 24 magnets, is used to alleviate pain in the joints and muscles with it's magnetic fields.  

Fits in majority of dog baskets, or simply place under your dog's bedding.  


For more info - Magnetic Dog Underlay

Now £20, was £29.99

To browse the Magnetic Dog Underlay now click here

Ruffwear Double Back Harness

The ultimate strength harness by Ruffwear, for increased levels of safety, comfort and convenience.

Intended for use:

• Climbing
• Mountaineering
• Canyoneering
• Helping dogs up and down rocky terrain

Made with strength-rated webbing throughout, with adjustable martingale for a customised fit, a padded belly, adjustable frame, and leg loops for steady weight dispersion, your dog will be ready to climb any mountain with you.  

And what's more, it's easy to fit onto your dog.  Have a look at our video for fitting instructions -

Now £115, was £145

To browse the Ruffwear Double Back  Harness now click here

Protective Mesh Eyewear

Protect your dog's eyes from the stark sunlight, especially in the coming crisp cold monring sun, with the Doggles Protective Mesh Eyewear.

An alternative to the Doggles shades,  this Protective Mesh Eyewear will also protect your dog from the sun (50% UV) and any debris that may fly into their eyes, whether it be from during those walks in strong winds, or from poking their heads out the car window.  The Protective Mesh Eyewear doesn't impair the dog's vision, depsite it's looks, and so will still allow your dog their full 270 degree vision. 

Now £5, was £6.80

To browse the Doggles Protective Mesh Eyewear now click here

 

Aged dog vs Arthritis

Like humans, dogs with age can start to suffer from arthritis and rheumatism as well.  And like us humans, dogs can now start to enjoy the healing effects of magnetic therapy while they sleep too.  


Made with 24 magnets, and is 12 x 18 inches, this magnetic underlay can fit comfortably in most baskets.  It is non evasive, and you do not have to worry about sticking or placing anything on your dog.  By simply placing the underlay in the basket, or under the bedding, your dog need not even notice a difference.

For the aging and suffering dog who has well earnt his /her rest, reward them with their very own underlay.      

Browse the magnetic dog underlay at Scruff MacDuff now

Other articles of interest -

Two exercises can benefit dogs with arthirits

Dog Leg Pain

Car Seat Protector

Protect your car seats from dog hairs and those dirty snow covered muddy paws with our Ancol Car Seat Protector.

Made of nylon the protector can be wiped clean, and is held into place simply by attaching it onto the back seat headrests. 

Browse the Ancol Car Seat Protector at Scruff MacDuff now

Other item of interest - Clix Car Safe Harness

Travelling dogs - restraints in the car

60% of motorists believe that dogs should be restrained in cars, according to GEM Motoring Assist (a breakdown and recovery specialist).  But the truth is, 80% of dog owners who do travel with their pets (according to AAA survey) don't restrain their dog in anyway in the vehicle.

When a simple small box of tissues, which many of us still keep on the back dash of our cars, can become the weighted equivalent of a brick when it comes hurtling forward in the event of an emergency break, imagine what kind of harm an unrestrained dog would do, to you, your family, and to the dog him/herself?

Below is a video example of just what kind of damage an unrestrained dog can do as it goes through the car's front windscreen.

At our Scruff MacDuff store we offer the comfortable, safe, easy to put on and affordable Clix Car Safe Harness. 

Protect your loved ones now, browse our Clix Car Safe Harnesses now 
Browse all Car Harnesses at Scruff MacDuff now


Other product of interest:
The Car Seat Protector

All videos courtesy of Youtube and all right belong to the uploader

Blind Runner And Guide Dog Making History

Sami Stoner has never won a race, but the Lexington, Ohio student is winning over fans and making history in the process.

The legally blind teen is running for the Lexington High School girls cross country team, and she is believed to be the first school athlete in Ohio to compete with a guide dog. As remarkable an accomplishment as that is, it almost wasn’t allowed to happen.


“How could anyone in cross country complain when you look at what she is doing? It’s powerful stuff,” Lexington head coach Denise Benson said.

Benson is alluding to Stoner’s struggle to get the Ohio High School Athletic Association to grant her a waiver that would allow her to compete with her guide dog, Chloe. Lexington Athletic Director John Harris took a special interest in Stoner’s plight and locked horns with the OHSAA over the course of months, making phone calls, applications and appeals that would ultimately secure the conditional waiver she required in order to run. From there, it was just a matter of training.

Stoner is afflicted with Stargardt disease, a juvenile form of macular degeneration that rendered her legally blind by ninth grade. Shortly thereafter Chloe came into her life. The guide dog is a graduate of  Pilot Dogs, an non-profit organization that has been training guide dogs since 1950. When the two hit the trails, Chloe steers Stoner around obstacles while the teen uses what is left of her waning peripheral vision to watch for other runners. It’s a combination that works: while they have not yet won any races, Sami and Chloe passed seven runners on the course at Marshall Park in late September to the cheers of inspired fans.

As amazing as that may be, Stoner admits that she and Chloe still have some learning to do together. “We’re just hoping to keep on racing and hopefully keep breaking our times. We’re just trying to do our best. Hopefully, next season we can just keep getting better,” she said.

Sami’s father, Keith Stoner, said he’s grateful to those who worked with OHSAA to give his daughter a chance at pursuing a dream. “It’s a great message,” he said. “She’s never going to be up front getting a medal, but as far as my wife and I are concerned, she wins every race. I’m thankful that puppy was brought into our lives.”


Article posted by Life with Dogs

Worst smells revealed as wet dog is named top stink by Britons

Britons have declared the smell of a wet dog their least favourite aroma, with stinky socks also ranking highly as an unfavourable scent in a new survey. 

 

Britons have rated wet dog as their least favourite smell (Picture: AFP/Getty)

 

According to the survey of 2,000 adults, the scent of a damp dog really gets up our nostrils in the wrong way.

Most people who took part in the survey thought that, of the hundreds of smells encountered every day, more than half are unpleasant.

The stench of cheesy socks was also marked as highly unfavourable.

The survey of stinky smells was undertaken by air freshener manufacturer Febreze.

As well as finding out the worst smells in Britain, the study revealed what we most enjoy sniffing.
Showing that us Brits are baking mad, the aroma of a freshly baked loaf is said to be a favourite smell.

The study found that men ranked the smell of freshly cooked bacon highly pleasurable, whereas women enjoyed the smell of newly washed sheets.   




Article by Alex Pielak for The Metro. 
Picture: AFP/Getty