Den-Dens

I've actually developed a bit of an obsession for this under-the-stairs type dog house, so this morning I've mostly been on Google images... thought I'd share my wares with you as my Facebook ‘likers’ seem to really enjoy them! Here a few I found ...

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Got the T-Shirt!

I shared this picture on my Facebook page yesterday, and it has been one of my most popular posts – so I thought I’d pop it on here for non-Facebook users.

How we feel on Mondays (or any day, actually)…

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Don't Judge Me!

I was thrilled when Katty asked me to be a judge at Welton's first fun dog show yesterday afternoon! It was a wonderful atmosphere there, full of happy families and waggiest tails, and a few familiar faces from the shop!

These were the categories:

1. Waggiest Tail
2. Dog and owner look alike
3. Best fancy dressed dog
4. Handsomest Dog
5. Best Trick
6. Best Veteran
7. Cutest puppy

The playing fields were full of gorgeous dogs, so it was a very difficult task in all categories! I thought I’d share a few of the wonderful winners with you.

Thanks again to the organisers of the show for inviting me to take part! Hope to see you there next year!

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Frost Paws! A recipe!

Frost Paws! A recipe!

A dog-friendly alternative to sugary, lactose-laden ice cream, Frosty Paws have a yogurt base that contains less lactose than ice cream, so your dog can tolerate it better.

Step 1
Place the banana in a blender or food processor. Add 32 ounces plain yogurt. Scoop 2 tsp. of peanut butter and 2 tsp. of honey into the mix. Alternatively, try goat's milk yogurt for a treat containing much less lactose.

Step 2
Mix ingredients until well blended.

Step 3
Round up paper cups, small plastic containers, ice cube trays or muffin tins to use as molds for the mixture. Pour small amounts into the cups, muffin tins or plastic containers. Aim for a hockey puck shape and thickness to resemble the original Frosty Paws size.

Step 4
Fill an ice cube tray with the concoction to create handy bite-size pieces you can give to your dog when a regular-size frozen treat is too much.

Step 5
Freeze the treats, then put them in a freezer bag for easy storage

I made these for Alfie and he absolutely loved them. I used a silicone muffin tray which was ideal, but they did make big servings! I’d probably say an ice cube tray is a more sensible serving size. 

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Oh Arrrr, the Farm Shop has opened!

The Barkitty Farm Shop is open and is full of natural treats, chews and food for your pets! Including Antlers, Roots and high quality rawhide. See the great range for yourself---> http://www.barkitty.co.uk/category_the_farm_shop.shtml

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Instagram

After being a dedicated Blackberry user for 8 years, my husband finally bullied me into getting an iPhone when my mobile was eligible for an upgrade earlier this month! I’m just about getting used to it (very slowly), but one of the plus sides is that Barkitty is now on instagram!

Follow us on there: barkitty12

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Alfie & Jasmine Vs Food

Some of my regular customers will know how much trouble we’ve been having getting Alfie to eat his food in recent months. Almost unheard of for a Labrador, he has to be coaxed into eating, and can sometimes go 2 days without a meal.

As an owner this is quite distressing, but after discussing this with the vet it is not uncommon, especially as the weather heats up. We have taken the decision to swap his food to Canagan which is described as ‘Food of their ancestors’. It is grain free, which is important, and as close to a raw food diet you can get in kibble form.

The look of the food is very encouraging; it looks very natural and moist. It has a good smell to it, which Alfie seems to have noticed as he jumps up at me when the bag opens!

Alfie is currently being fed 405 grams of the Scottish Salmon food per day, and Jasmine is having the Free Run Chicken food, 60 grams per day.

So far, so good, but will keep you updated as to how they get on J

Or buy yours online here http://www.barkitty.co.uk/category_the_farm_shop.shtml 

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Back to our roots

We are totes excited to receive a huge delivery from a new supplier this week, which contains Anco Roots and Farm Foods antlers and rawhide.

ANCO Roots are a new concept and are simply tree roots from a secret eco-sustainable source. They are hand harvested in protected areas to ensure there is no damage to the roots or forests. Only the tuber of the root is harvested which then sprouts again. They are limited to a responsible number each year, keeping the ecological impact to a minimum.

They are 100% untreated, will not splinter and are extremely durable and long lasting. They act as a natural toothbrush with naturally present vitamins and minerals.

Suitable for all sizes - including puppies, you just need to ensure you chose the right size for your dog.

I gave a Large Root to Barkitty VIP, Mac, to see how durable it is! Mac is a good tester, as he’s a strong 1 year old Lab, who loves to chew! His owner, Louise, said “Mac loves his root chew. It’s tough enough for him and smells wonderful, like a forest. He is so excited”.

 

Similarly, Antlers are seen as the natural ‘toothbrush’ For dogs and are 100% pure, sustainable and a true product of nature. They contain no additives or preservatives and are simply healthy and rich in minerals to keep your dogs teeth clean, healthy and strong.

Tough and hard, long lasting and does not splinter, as well as being hypo-allergenic and free of gluten the antlers do not get slimy or sticky when being chewed on. Studies have found that they can help to prevent and fight obesity if you have a more curvaceous canine!

We bought Alfie an antler from Crufts in March, as we’d heard so much about them and I can confirm it’s still going strong! He has managed to soften each end, but he is not bored of it at all, and there’s plenty more to chew on! Again, I’d recommend you chose the right size for your dog, as going smaller will only mean it won’t last as long.

Farm Foods are also supplying us with their rawhide too, which is second to none. There are different grades of rawhide, and this is a product where it doesn’t hurt to check the labels and do your research before buying. We can guarantee you that the rawhide you buy from us is 100% pure rawhide, made of fresh, examined, vet approved beef hides only. It’s natural, non bleached and completely digestible, and best of all, not necessarily more expensive than lesser quality rawhides!

So come in and have a look yourself, and handle these wonderful natural products in the shop!

Or buy yours online here http://www.barkitty.co.uk/category_the_farm_shop.shtml

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Meet the Barkitty Family!

When you visit Barkitty, it is mostly me, Lisa, you will see – but I’d like to introduce you to the rest of my family so you can always expect a familiar face!

This is me, at my happiest, spending time with Alfie and Jasmine at home.

This is my Dad, Paul. He was the one who had always had pets in his life, and could never have been without dogs in the family. He trained up black Lab, Tif, as a working gundog and together they won field try championships. He also trained Tif’s daughter, Sky, to a high standard. He is a lover of the outdoors and wildlife, and always wanted a Jack Russell, so was the most pleased when Bobby came in to our lives!

This is my Mum, Yvonne. Mum chose our lovely black & white cat, Jess, in 1987 and loved him dearly for the 18 years of his life, and beyond. She wasn’t always a dog lover, but was soon won over by our family Border Collie, Kessey in 1994. Since then there has always been a dog in their house. Paddy the black Lab is their furbaby now, and he’s around 8 years old.

My husband Jason can sometimes be found in the shop at weekends, mostly if there’s no football on, or shooting is cancelled! Jason grew up with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Crystal, Fudge and Fletcher, but has been converted to a Labrador geek since he met me! He loves our cat, Jasmine, but is truly in his element walking Alfie in wellies in the middle of the English countryside.

My sister Carla and her boyfriend Ryan have Bobby, and a little boy due to be born any day now! We’re sure the baby will know Bobby’s bark from the womb! Carla and Ryan often hang around the shop (mostly because they like the jacket potatoes they serve in nearby Darlington’s restaurant) so you may well see them if you visit!

Whoever you meet in the shop, you are guaranteed a warm welcome and a shared love of pets!

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Paw-ty of the Year!

On Saturday June 1st Alfie (my Chocolate Labrador) celebrated his first birthday with his brothers and sisters at a special party at Barkitty, Heart of the Shires Shopping Village, Watling Street Nr Daventry.

Alfie celebrated his birthday with Angus, Charlie, Millie Mae, Darcy, Millie, Dexter and Blue, who all turned one!

Oh. My. Gahd. What a day it was!! Thank you SO SO SO MUCH to everyone who came along today, it was FANTASTIC and what an amazing first birthday for the puppies! 

We are estimating around 100 dogs attended today, how wonderful!

The support I receive, as ever, overwhelms me, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!! Some tired dogs tonight I imagine!?! I have one here absolutely flat out fast asleep!

More than 100 dogs enjoyed the party including, a marquee for the dogs to socialise and enjoy some time together, an agility course, and an enclosed paddock for the dogs to run around and play together.

Northampton Vets4Pets handed out information and advice, and there was a ‘dog friendly’ birthday cake for Alfie and his friends.

We wanted to mark Alfie's first birthday in style and we couldn’t think of a better way then a pooch party with his brothers and sisters and friends of Barkitty Pet Boutique.

“It was such a great day and to see the dogs running around to the music and eating treats together whilst their owners made friends too.”

The event was free of charge and people came along to enjoy the party whilst having a bite of cake to celebrate Alfie’s first birthday.

Joe Moriarty, aged 24, Kislingbury, owner of Thor 12 week old Patterdale Terrier said: “This is the first time Thor has been around other dogs, I heard about Alfie’s party and thought it would be a good way to introduce Thor to other animals.

“He has really enjoyed it eating lots of treats and it has been good seeing him interact with other animals. It was a really great idea of Lisa’s to organise something as you get to meet people through events like this too.”

Cheryl Sligh, owner of Sprocker Spaniel, Jasper, said “What a fab day! Jasper is exhausted so an extra special thank you! I’ve never seen him so happy!” 

I'd also like to say a special THANK YOU to Mandy and Julie from Bluemoo Photography, Steph who did the agility, Emma & Dee from Northampton Vets4Pets, Nikki & Phil from The Lucky Pups Baking Co., Sheila from "Woofielicious dog bakery", Rebekah and Becky who made the human cakes, Rach & Lauren from Cross&Crane Collars who made Alfie's 'it's my birthday' cape and everyone else who helped me today. 

Also, thanks for his pressies and cards... completely unexpected and so kind!! He is a very lucky boy!

Big thanks to Mum, Dad, Jason & Ryan for their massive help too, and thanks to my sister Carla for not giving birth during the party (it took place on her due date)!

Final thanks to Bobby Boosh the security guard - very helpful!!

The party has received huge press coverage locally, but also nationally with Zoe Ball mentioning it on Radio 2 today!

Visit the Facebook page here for more pictures: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.502959019759736.1073741831.274973055891668&type=1

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R Barkitty

Barkitty is featured this month in R Magazine! Bobby is so small on this pic ♥

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Cover Star!

How exciting for us, Alfie has been featured on the front cover of this months Northampton Life magazine! His cute little face will be dropping through over 40,000 letterboxes in Northamptonshire! Did you get one?

I have also been interviewed inside the mag. Thanks to Dave Williams and his team for the support and enthusiasm they have offered since I opened.

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