Summer 2011 newsletter;

Hi All,

Not so long since I last wrote, but thought I would make the most of an opportunity to tell you about a few things;

The Small Animal Area is up and running (that is an area for small animals, not a small area for animals!) We have bought two super mobile houses and erected a shed for the food and bedding, so the rabbits and guinea pigs have free run from their houses to the grass and are moved to fresh grass daily, without the stress of being handled. We intend to purchase more houses shortly and we are chomping at the bit to get the office reception started so we have a super safe and heated area for indoor animals, where they can be stress free, but still get the stimulation and attention that they need.

The Canine Communication classes are going well. As the first course draws to a close I am planning to start another group of 6 �?? 8 sessions mid/late August. During the course we covered how to build up a connection with your dog, how to communicate to your dog what is expected of him and what your dog expects from you. We have also introduced some fun exercises for you to try and build on at home, to stretch your dog mentally and physically during your walks. This week we had an ex police dog handler, who has a passion for sympathetic handling, showing us how to teach tracking and search work �?? another thing to keep things fun. We also focus on specific problems you may be having with your dog, at home or on walks. As well as teaching you and your dog good socialisation skills. Please contact me if you would like to participate, or more information can be found via our web site

As the reception area develops we will be providing more luxury items that you may not be able to find locally. As we have had a lot of customers discussing frozen complete food we are now supplying the Natures Menu and Prize Choice frozen feeds in bulk. I will be keeping some items in stock, but if you use frozen meat regularly we are able to supply this to order much cheaper than other local outlets. Please email if you would like an up to date price list.

Sponsored dog walk; I am proud to be involved with HorseBack UK (www.horsebackuk.org.uk ) To raise funds I am organising a couple of sponsored walks for them to continue their work to provide a safe and secure environment to aid those serving, or those who have served in the UK armed forces. A guided/marked 17km (10.5miles) dog walk will be taking place on Saturday September 24th. The circular route will take us on a well marked route up Pressendye at Tarland. http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/aberdeenshire/pressendye.shtml

The route is strenuous enough to let you know you have done it, without the risk of losing anyone! It should take between 4 and 5 hours to complete. The tracks are obvious and manageable, without being too man-made. There is plenty of opportunity to let a well behaved dog off the lead.

We will go in one or two groups for the sociable dogs or alternatively as individuals or pairs for those that prefer their dogs to walk alone. There will be maps, route guides and, as previously mentioned, the route is well marked. (or you can complete this on another day of your choice) I am also trying to arrange lunch in the Aberdeenshire Arms afterwards, which is under new management.

If you are interested in participating please email me for further details and a sponsorship form.

Short sponsored walk We will also be organising a walk from Lumphanan Pet Hotel around the Tullochvenus circular route which is approximately 8km (5.5 miles). And should take a maximum of 2 hours. It is fairly easy and has only a very small amount of road walking. This will be a set fee of £5 to participate on October 9th. The route will be marked and there will be directions available. Again, you could do this course at any other time to suit you if you aren’t available on the day. Please contact me for further details.

Best regards, Jo and the Team

We are looking for someone to work in the kennels, walking the dogs and general 'housekeeping' one or two weekends a month from the begining of September. This person will always be working with a permanent member of staff.

Also, possibly the same person, or maybe not, someone to help walk the dogs 4 afternoons a week for a couple of hours during September and October (flexible start time)

Spring 2011 newsletter;

Hi All,

Well, a long time since I last wrote a small news update. I hope you all had a good winter?

The Snow plough got put to good use. Personally I love the snow, even being snowed in! We didn’t have too many problems; we got caught out by the first big lot (who didn’t?) and the plough wasn’t quite ready for the front of the Landie. But there was so much snow in one go we had to wait for Kenny, the local farmer , to come and plough for us first anyway. This was a struggle, even for the big tractor. So we just had to walk up and down for a few days. Fortunately we were fairly quiet in the kennels, and after a few modifications to the Landrover and plough it managed to keep the lane open for the rest of the winter.

At least we are being lucky with Spring.

rabbit house.jpg We are getting more and more small furry creatures coming to stay we have bought a large pen and house for outdoor rabbits; This gives them access to the grass, as well as having a big house they can stretch up in.

While the cattery is on hold, for the time being, we are expanding the facilities and homes for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, budgies etc.

After lots of requests I am going to start holding dog communication courses. This will be in the form of a block of 6 x 1 hourly sessions, held weekly. We will we be working outside with groups of 6 �?? 8 dogs and handlers exploring how to understand why your dog is doing what. Also to help you understand what your dog needs from you, in the way of boundaries, signals and what can be considered acceptable or unacceptable. We will try and help you connect with your dog to get the most desirable behaviour. We will practice rewarding behaviours and learning how to maintain communication with your dog to do, or not do, what is required.

If you are interested in attending these sessions please email me with your details, preferred day(s) and time(s) and anything you would like to cover during the course. The course fee will be £50 for 6 classes over 8 weeks (this gives you the opportunity to miss two sessions without losing any money) if you get to the end of your six weeks and want to attend further weeks the cost will £5 per attendance. We have use of an outside, reasonably secure venue at Aboyne, but if you have access to somewhere you would like courses to be held please let me know.

The first sessions will either commence during the week commencing 23rd May or 20th June. Days and times will be confirmed once I get feedback on when people want them.

As most of you will be aware we take most types of payment, including cards. Unfortunately, due to astronomical charges from the relevant banks we will be asking you to pay either with a debit card or pay a 2% surcharge on credit cards. We will obviously continue to take cash, cheques and electronic payment.

Please remember that we walk the dogs in an area heavily populated with deer and bracken, which means we have a healthy population of ticks. Please do discuss prevention treatment with your vets.

No newsletter is complete with a small whinge or request; Please could you bear in mind our opening hours for you to collect and deliver your pets at your convenience? The times are; 10am - 2pm and 4pm �?? 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday. There is someone on the premises 24hrs a day and we are able to accept or release dogs at other times by appointment, although I confess to being reluctant to hand out ‘late passes’ for evenings, as I am a morning person and you may find a grumpier Jo to meet you at 8pm than you would at 7am!

Staffs wise we were very fortunate to have Jenny Sheen join us in November; she is working 4 mornings a week. In February the lovely Kerry, who has veterinary nurse qualifications, secured herself a much sought after place at the new SSPCA centre opening at Dess and has left to do her training. This is a great opportunity for her and we wish her well. This left an opportunity for the enthusiastic and capable Anna Justice, who has been working at weekends and during school holidays, to join us full time and she will be here ALL the time from Mid June when she has finished sitting her Highers.

We look forward to seeing all the dogs that are booked in for the summer; the regulars that come often, those that come occasionally and all the new pets that we have yet to come to stay (we have a ninja hamster called Chester who visits. I really must get a video of him to put on the Facebook site!)

Winter weather;

As the winter weather arrives a little reassurance that we are able to help get your dogs to us. The main road, the B9119 Aberdeen Tarland road, has snow ploughs and gritters on it constantly, as it is a main commuter route. It was shut less that 5 times last year (and that was a pretty bad winter!).

Our lane is a slightly different matter, as the steep rise at the beginning and the drifting snow on the crest often make it difficult. Winter tyres are recommended when it has snowed. However, we have several other options; The neighbouring farmer ploughs it for us as soon as the weather settles and we have a 4x4 and also an old landrover for getting up and down. Failing that it is only a third of a mile, and a lot less than we would walk the dogs anyway, so we are always able to walk down and collect your dog and it's belongings and walk up with them for you.

If you are really reluctant to venture out we are able to collect your dog from you, and will continue to be as flexible as we can with collection and drop off times to suit you.

Obviously the underfloor heating is on constantly now, and we shut the hatches for the smaller dogs that don't like the cold, or if they are very wet (everyone is towel dried anyway) The extended roof over and extending beyond the runs prevents a lot of the weather from affecting the dogs.

Please don't hesitate to call if you have any queries

After a very busy summer, and during the lull before our September and October busy spells, an update you all on what has, is and will be happening;

Firstly I would like to thank all of you that have brought your beautiful, adorable, bouncy, cuddly, cute, naughty <feel free to insert other adjectives to suit your dog as necessary!> dogs to us. They have amused us, delighted us, made us laugh, and made us be stern with them (we know you don't want them picking up bad manners when they are here, right?) Also apologies to those of you that have enquired and been unable to get a place, we certainly hope we see you in the future. We put everything we have on the line to build the kennel accommodation and it is great that you can see what we want to achieve and that you care about your dogs' mental and physical wellbeing as much as we do.

We know a lot of you are suggesting us to your friends, and for this we also thank you. To try and show our appreciation we are offering 4 days free accommodation to your dog at Lumphanan Pet Hotel if a friend or colleague's dog stays with us for 3 days or more during November, December, January or February*

* Unfortunately the new guest cannot stay during school holidays - your 4 free days can be anytime by mutual agreement between you and ourselves.

Some of you are also friends of our facebook site; http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lumphanan-United-Kingdom/Lumphanan-Pet-Hotel/186151172898?ref=ts I try and remember to put photos of the dogs out and about playing or cuddling in the kennels on, but sometimes feel I'm speaking into the air! I would also really like any 'facebookers' amongst you out there to add your own photos of your dogs at home or play. Please feel free to add your comments and let us know what we are doing well. If you have any thoughts or ideas for how we could improve the quality of the dogs' stay, please feel free to email me. We will be holding a monthly draw, and one friend each month will receive a £5 Millers Visitor and Retail Centre voucher to spend on yourselves or your puppies.

The doggy day care has proved very popular, I thought we would be too far from anywhere, but we have had a few four legged friends join us while their owners are on a long day at work.

The Skoda ex-police dog car that we bought last year for dog transportation will soon be liveried, so look out for me on the road. If I am going a bit quick please be assured I haven't got a canine onboard! If you are going to be tight for time, either at the beginning or end of your booking, please feel free to enquire about collection or delivery - it may not only save you time, but also be cheaper than an extra day's accommodation and driving here yourself?

The cattery is still a slightly distant dream, due to a lack of funds. A little closer to being realised is the fencing for the 4 acre paddock so that all the dogs can get some quality off lead play time.

I have managed to get a good supply of frozen tripe; In my opinion this is like super food for dogs, great for fussy feeders and especially great if they need to put on a few pounds. It comes in boxes of 20 x 454g at a cost of £13.60 per box (68p per block) it hardly smells, is rough minced and doesn't need cooking. We do order regularly from our feed suppliers, so if you would like to buy a bulk pack of chews, bulk wet feed or a large bag of feed to collect when you pick up your dog, or more often if you live nearby, please let us know. We do need plenty of advanced warning though.

There is same bad news; due to the bank charges being much higher than we originally anticipated we will have to put our prices up next year. As from Feb 1st we will be charging £23 per day for a single dog, £33 per day for two dogs sharing from the same family and £38 for 3 dogs sharing from the same family. This obviously still includes the hour per day the dogs spend out of the kennel, either walking, cuddling, playing ball or mooching around the garden, depending on their needs. As well as feed, brushing, a bath before collection, if necessary, and the other two or three hours a day we spend in and around the kennels keeping them company, cuddles are free. ;

However; There will be automatic discounts available for regular clients; If, during a rolling year, your dog(s) stay for more than 25 accumulative days you will get a 5% discount for 45 days accumulated over 12 months there will be 10% discount and for 65 days there will be 20% discount. Some of you will already qualify for these discounts by the 1st Feb. From 1st Feb you will also be able to claim discount on any current stay by paying a deposit on a future booking - this will be returnable if we get at least 6 weeks notice, but the previous discount will be deducted.

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

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.

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!