Small Business Saturday UK

Wow! Blog number 200 already! You must be bored sick of me now J

You may have seen the ads on TV for Small Business Saturday. It’s a great campaign, and essential for shops like mine. We NEED the support and custom from people like you to enable us to continue trading.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-political, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. In 2014 Small Business Saturday UK will take place on Saturday December 6th.

Plus, we have our Christmas Collar event on that day, so even more reason to come and see us!

Please consider the cause, and shop local on Saturday 6^th, and whenever you can. Use us or lose us!

www.barkitty.co.uk

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7 mile

Today I was feeling particularly energetic (and also panicky about fitting in Christmas party dresses), so Alfie and I decided to ‘take on’ Pitsford reservoir. It’s a really good walk for you and your dog, totalling 10K or nearly 7 miles. 

We parked at Brixworth Country Park (there are other parking alternatives), and looped all around the waters edge, all on good, solid pathways. This is suitable for pushchairs and prams, and most age groups seem to be doing fine. Obviously, you can make it as much of a work out as you require. We jogged as much of it as we could, but it’s a really enjoyable walk. With some jogging and walking it took us 1 hour 35 minutes. As a walk you’re probably looking at 2 hours, or as a run more like 1 hour.

We really enjoyed it, and recommend it if you haven’t been. The only downsides are lack of ‘poo’ bins, and parking charges. At Brixworth it’s £2.60 for 12 hours, which is great value if you’re there all day, but a bit of a pain if you’re only there 2 hours.

Let me know if you give it a try yourselves J

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Happy BobDay

 HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO BOBBY BOOSH!!! Naughty, yappy, totally annoying & raised by Grandparents - we wouldn't have you any other way!!

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Santa Claus Came to Town

What an incredible day we had Father Christmas in store, and so many of you came in with your doggies! Thank you so much to everyone who took part! It was so much fun, and I hope you're happy with the pics! I look forward to seeing how you use them! I already have my Christmas cards on order!

I want to say a very special big THANK YOU to my Mum & Dad. I couldn't run the shop without my Mum, who helps me so much every week... and Dad who played an amazing Father Christmas today I'm sure you'll agree. They're the best parents I could ask for.

You can see all the pics here on the Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.744646685590967.1073741849.274973055891668&type=1

As promised, all profits will be going to local animal charity, Wellidogs, which is a great cause!

Thanks again and ho, ho, ho!

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Aloe Vera

We’re really excited to have Taira in store on December 13^th with her gorgeous Golden Doodle, Teddy, talking about the health benefits to be had when giving your dog Aloe Vera products. More info & timings will be announced closer to the event.

“Come along & see how our animal friends can benefit from Aloe Vera.
Aloe is commonly used for burns but also has many other benefits for humans and dogs.
We can help our dogs in many ways by introducing this wonderful plant in to their everyday routine.
So why not come along and find out more .

Look forward to seeing you there

Taira”

Follow the event on our Facebook page for more info J

https://www.facebook.com/events/576216052479309/

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Christmas Opening Times

Please see the below opening times for Barkitty over Christmas 2014

1^st-23^rd December – Normal hours apply. 10am-5pm Tues-Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday.

24^th December – 10am-2pm

Christmas Day – 29^th December CLOSED

30^th December – Noon -4pm

New Year’s Eve – 10am – 2pm

New Years Day CLOSED

January 2^nd – March 1^st 10am – 4pm Tues – Friday, 10am -5pm Saturday and 11am-4pm Sunday.

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Lumitubes

As the dark nights draw in, dog walking becomes a more difficult, and dangerous task. That’s why we’re stocking the brand new Lumitubes by Red Dingo.

Statistics from the PDSA have revealed that during winter the veterinary costs of pets being involved in road accidents rises by 50 per cent, with the chances of your pet being involved in an accident increasing by eighty per cent.

To protect your pet the PDSA advises wearing high visibility clothing and accessories, which is why Dapper is launching the new Lumitube Illuminated Safety Collar from Red Dingo.

The brilliant Lumitube is lightweight and contains two powerful LEDs, which create an ultra-bright, even glow around the whole neck. This gives superb 360-degree visibility, unlike flashing collar attachments that are only visible from the front.

The Lumitube collar is available in two lengths and the tubing can actually be cut to size creating the perfect fit for any dog. Quick release connectors allow the collar to be assembled and disassembled in seconds and, when fitted correctly, the Lumitube should slip on and off a dog’s head without needing to undo the loop. The Lumitube collar is powered by just one AAA battery, which is included, and replacements are inexpensive and widely available.

The Lumitube is super stylish too as it is available in a choice of four dazzling colours. If you have more than one dog you can colour-code your pack so you know exactly who’s who in the dark.

Also, The Lumitube Illuminated Safety Collar is waterproof so nocturnal adventurers can indulge in a spot of night swimming without their owners losing sight of them.

BUY YOURS HERE – http://www.barkitty.co.uk/category_lightup_collars_leads_1.shtml

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Meet Father Christmas!

The Christmas French Market is coming back to Castle Ashby for a fun filled day with French & other European foods to buy! PLUS... Barkitty will have Father Christmas in store for part of the day! Bring your pet to have their photograph taken with him & receive a gift! £3 per pet, with profits going to a local animal charity (charity TBC). 

Plus, it's early enough that you can use the photograph taken to print your Christmas cards this year!! How fab!!

* Timings of Father Christmas in store TBC

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Instagram: @Barkitty12

Ladies who meet

I attended my first AAW meeting today, which is Jo Cameron’s Achievers Academy for Women. I got to meet with a small group of successful women who are in business, and chat about our work. Hopefully this can only help Barkitty grow!

It was a very informal, welcoming environment, and I think it would be very valuable for me to become a member. If you are a woman looking for inspiration in your professional life, then see the website here -> http://www.achieversacademyforwomen.com/

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Puppy Love

There must be something in the air around Castle Ashby, as in the last few weeks I’ve been inundated with teeny pups aged from 8 weeks to 16 weeks! How lucky am I?!?

I thought I’d share this pic to show some of them, and their names and ages (at time of picture) are listed below!

From Top left – bottom right: Winnie 16 weeks, Millie 16 weeks, Huxley 11 weeks, Honey 11 weeks, Dorie 16 weeks, Teacup 8 weeks, Dotty 16 weeks, William 10 weeks, Dexter 12 weeks, Matilda 10 weeks, Piggle 10 weeks, Maizey 14 weeks, Alfie 16 weeks, Billie 14 weeks, Greta 10 weeks & Meg 16 weeks.

It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! J

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Family Fun

If you are looking for something to do with the kiddies (and the dog) at the weekend look no further than Castle Ashby Shopping Yard & Gardens. Obviously, the World’s best (in my humble opinion!) Pet Boutique is situated here, but there’s a lot more to do.

  

If you take a little trip to the Gardens there’s another lovely café and plant centre, with a totally fab, large children’s play area! Alfie & I popped over there today with our friends. Emily and I sat outside with our tea and coffee & walnut cake (with plenty of water and shade for Alfie), and Luke & Holly Mae reluctantly stopped listening to our gossip and went off on the play equipment!

If you want to venture further into the gardens, there is a charge of £5.50 per adult, and under 10s go free. OAPs & over 10s are £5, and a family of 2 adults & 2 children is £18. Dogs are permitted into the gardens, providing they are walked on a lead in all areas of the formal garden. They may run free in the Arboretum, which is really nice. 

www.barkitty.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/BarkittyPetBoutique

End of Summer Sale

Alas, the end of summer is upon us, and the nights are already drawing in – but all is not lost. We are having a huge sale weekend on Saturday 4^th & Sunday 5^th October, with at least 10% off EVERYTHING*, and up to 50% OFF some items.

So come and grab a bargain before the winter stock takes over J

* Excludes items that have been pre-ordered, or require ordering in specially

www.barkitty.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/BarkittyPetBoutique

Oooh La La

We are really excited about the French Market arriving at Castle Ashby a week on Sunday! 200 metres of stalls, free parking, free entry and lots of goodies to taste before you buy!

Look forward to seeing you on July 13th!

www.barkitty.co.uk

www.facebook.com/barkittypetboutique

www.twitter.com/barkitty12

Instagram: barkitty12

New Pad

Our new shop at the Rural Shopping Yard in Castle Ashby, Northampton is officially open! Come along and see us, it’s so dog friendly and welcoming here! Dogs are even allowed in the restaurant with you!

We’re easy to find, and accessible from the A45 and A428 from Northampton. About 10 minutes from the centre of Northampton. Give us a call on 01604 696970 if you need directions.

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Changing Shops

This week we have been so busy emptying the old shop and getting the new shop open; and we are already loving our new home at the Rural Shopping yard in Castle Ashby. The other shop owners have been incredibly welcoming and helpful, and so supportive of me!

I can’t wait to share some pics of the shop when it’s all ready to go on opening day on Tuesday 10^th – but until then here’s a sneaky peak of Alfie posing outside!

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Chocolate Patrol

To celebrate the pup’s (I think I’ll call them that when they’re old & grey) birthday on Sunday we took a few of them out for a walk together.

It was so great to see them run around and play together. They get on really well. It truly was the best fun we’ve had in ages.

We went to Grange Park Country Park in Northampton, and I really recommend it for dog walking. It has a bit of everything, and ours felt perfectly safe off lead. With plentiful free parking, it was an ideal place for us to meet.

The ‘parents’ have created a group on Facebook to keep-in-touch and arrange meet-ups like this. It works so well.

I made some birthday pupcakes using the Oggi’s Oven Dog cake baking mix, Ardennes pate and Lily’s Kitchen Rise & Shine treats! Buy the cake mix & Lily's Kitchen here

Thanks to all of the other parents who came along, and happy birthday once again to our chocolate drops :)

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Two Much Love

Today is our LAST DAY at Heart of the Shires!!! Come and see us, it will be emotional, but we're full steam ahead for making the new shop at Castle Ashby look fantastic!

It is also Alfie’s birthday today! I can't believe my baby boy is 2... this photo is the first day I met him, and took him home! He has been my best friend and saviour ever since and I just love him so much!

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Help Needed!

Would any of my lovely customers in the Northampton area be interested in putting up a 'New Shop Opening' poster (shown in the pic) in their place of work, school, uni, club, pub, gym etc for me??

If so, please email me (lisa@barkitty.co.uk) if you have a printer, or send me your address if you'd like me to post you hard copies...

I’d be so grateful…

Lisa 

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Relocation, relocation, relocation

I have a big announcement to make, and I hope you’ll all be happy to support me in it! Barkitty is relocating to Castle Ashby, still in Northamptonshire. It’s around 10 minutes from central Northampton on the A428, easily accessible from the A45, in a really beautiful location. 

The picturesque village of Castle Ashby offers you the unique combination of peaceful, easy rural shopping and walking in the gardens of Castle Ashby. Explore the tranquil gardens and relax over a morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. Browse around the interesting variety of shops in the old converted farm buildings where you will find special gifts and crafts for any occasion.

I really hope to see you all over there, and look forward to welcoming some new faces too! The restaurant and surrounding shops are very dog-friendly, and there’s adequate free parking.

We will be having a leaving party and launch event too, which I will let you know of when it’s all confirmed.

We hope to open the new shop on Tuesday June 10^th. The opening hours will be as below;

Closed Monday

Tues – Sat 10am – 5pm

Sunday 11am – 4pm

During January – Feb the shop will close at 4pm on weekdays.

Many thanks again,

Lisa xx

www.barkitty.co.uk

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Hot off the press

Did you spot us in Dogs Today Magazine this month?? Our Dogs Daily launch is featured on page 10! 

Buy your Dogs Daily 'Just 7' canine cookies here-> http://www.barkitty.co.uk/category_dogs_daily_1.shtml