Kennel Cough and Ticks
There appears to be an out break of Kennel Cough in Aberdeenshire.
Vaccination is not a legal requirement and we do not insist on it, but please consider your particular circumstances and discuss with your vet.
click here for wikipedia article on Kennel cough
It is also the season for ticks, and we are in a prime area for this and are find a few on the dogs. Please also consider preventative measures and discuss with your vet
Click here for an article on ticks on dogs
Small Animals
We have purchased plastic moulded rabbit hutches, in addition to the Ferplast indoor hutches we have.
Pet Transportation
We are now organsing pet transportation for those moving overseas. We can completely arrange, assist with or advise on flights, medical requirements, crates and transport your pet to or from the airport.
It snowed.........again!
Luckily we took everyone for an hour's walk on Tuesday morning and the top of the field has drifted clear, so just a short clamber across the lane for a 20 min. wander
Top left; the lovely 'Rita', top right and bottom left; cutie 'Buddy', bottom right the amazing 'Cassie', who is playing with me while the sleet comes sideways at 60 mph - I don't think she's even noticed!
20 mins later, Cassie is dry (no snowballs in her fur, how clever is that!) and looks like she belongs on the sofa
The canine accommodation has been inspected by the vet and dog warden and is now licenced and open.
Topping out ceremony
At long last; Toasting at the topping out ceremony. Celebrating are most of the team of local tradesmen who battled with the extreme winter conditions as the last piece of ridge is put on the roof; showing, probably, one of the few occasions since mid December that there hasn’t been snow lying on the ground and on the building at the site. We have been overwhelmed by the professionalism of the local self-employed guys we have had the pleasure to work with and the pride they have taken in ensuring the work is completed to a high standard so that people can leave their dogs over Easter.
The building is a timber framed one, as advised by Mark Anderson; Joiner and the main contractor who grew up and lives in Lumphanan. The kit, which is exactly as you will have seen many of the new houses that are being built in Aberdeenshire, is more environmentally friendly and is better for insulation, both warmth and sound reduction, and is much quicker to erect.
While Graeme Anderson, local stonemason and builder, laid the sections of concrete base trying to avoid the wet November, the building was weather proof within a week. Graeme has sometimes had to push his wheel barrow up the lane to the kennels and all the people involved have walked up at one time or another over the winter. Local farmer and landowner, Kenny Smith came to the rescue with the tractor and trailer when materials needed delivering from the main road.
We factored in a month of bad weather during the project build, not three. We are quite high here and the snow fell frequently and staid for a long time. I would be happy to recommend any of the team who worked on this project. Not pictured are Stuart Sugden, plumber, and Davey Hanson, who supplied and drove the plant machinery.
It is now left to Allan Christie and his team to complete the tiling to allow the last few bits of work to be done. While Craig Thow, electrician, who has wired all the project has now fitted the underfloor heating and will complete the lighting and music system.
New Opening date; March 25th.
We are full for the beginning of July - please check the availability calendar.
As you can see from the photographs we've been publishing the weather has been horrendous. We've had snow on the ground from 16th December to mid March. The guys have walked up the lane, when it's been blocked, and had to go home at 3 in the afternoon as they've been so cold. (despite coming in by the Aga for breaks and lunch) Plus there is stuff that can only been done when they can see the ground or it is above freezing.
the above photo was taken on 11th march - snow's nearly gone, then?!
The tradesmen are working very hard to complete to the deadline. I have been overwhelmed by the professionalism of the local guys we eventually decided to work and the pride they have taken in getting this done to a high standard and in trying to ensure the work is completed for the Easter break. They are going to put in extra hours etc, as soon as the ground clears I will keep this page updated as soon as we are able to get the outside work started.
The opening date for the first canine clients has been set for March 20th 2010
as the Spring Equinox, we thought this would be fortuitous.
These are the sleep areas. under floor heating going in and tiles
Most sleep areas are 1.5m/2m x 2m. and would fit one or two medium size dogs very comfortably
There are two bigger (3mx2m)sleep areas for multiple/large dogs
below are the exercise areas- ceilings are going in and hatches to cover the pop holes at night
These are the 'pop holes' from the sleep areas which lead into these bigger enclosed runs and will have hatches that are closed at night.
These runs are 3m x 2m are lined with a impervious, insulating and non chewable coating, non slip tiles to go on the floor and also have galvanised gates looking out onto the countryside
Doors and larch cladding going on.
Mark Anderson has done a fantastic job during the rotten weather - as our lane blocks quite easily, and we are fairly high, so get a lot of snow.
These windows look into the main corridor and sleep areas
The kitchen/utility area
We are using an environmentally friendly timber frame kit, exactly as you will have seen many of the new houses that are being built in Aberdeenshire, rather than concrete blocks, for the walls. This is for better insulation, for both warmth and sound reduction, and is much quicker to erect.
the roof space- there will be a ceiling and this will be insulated
The view from the runs
The outside walls will be timber clad, to fit in better with the surrounding countryside and the insulated internal walls will be lined with a coating which is easy to wash and reasonably indestructible. The floors are non slip tiles - which will be nice for the dogs to lie on, with the underfloor heating.
Please book your dates early as we are getting lots of calls for the peak times already!
If we have your details we can invite you to our open day and you can have a look at the facilities - although you will be welcome to pop in anytime to take a look.
We will keep this page updated and post pictures as it's happening. We look forward to seeing you and your petsin the near future!