Welcome to the brand new and sparkly Village Pets Journal… ta dah! Here, I’ll be writing all about the shop and all the good things we sell. Not only that, I’ll also be sharing hints and tips to help keep your pets happy, healthy, and living their very best lives. And that’s not all… oh no! We’ll also be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what we get up to here at Village Pet Foods. If there’s anything you’d like me to look into — whether it’s pet products, treats, toys,

2026 Welcome to our autumn newsletter! 🍂 In this edition, we’ll be sharing some lovely local businesses that I’d really like to introduce you to - wonderful businesses that are well worth supporting. We’ll also be looking at our seasonal feature, all about our animals as we head into autumn and winter. We’ll be talking about some of the things we can do to help our own pets through the colder months, as well as ways we can support the wildlife around us. I hope you enjoy it!

Some bonus content for Puppy Week - I am telling you all about a client I have worked with this year. Check earlier in my feed for Parts 1 and 2! Arrival day went well. Esme was a little anxious, after all this is the first time she’d been away from her mum and Nana and her brothers and sisters and the people she knows about. She was inundated with brand new smells, so it was little bit intimidating for her, but she did well. When evening arrived Helen began to feel anxious a

Some bonus content for Puppy Week - I am telling you all about a client I have worked with this year. Check earlier in my feed for Part 1! On the day of pick up, I again got to go with Helen. I had not been since that first visit, and was looking forward to helping to bring Esme home. Importantly (for me) I got to sit in the back of the car with her cozy next to me. David, Margie and Emelia were happy to see Esme going knowing how loved and taken care of she would be, but so

Helen & Esme - Part 1 Some bonus content for Puppy Week - I am going to tell you all about a client I have worked with this year... Back in April, Helen approached me with regards to assistance in finding her a new family member: a puppy of course! Her first step was to book in with me to have an initial puppy guidance session. This is a one and a half hour appointment where we talk and get down to the nitty gritty of wanting a puppy, why, when and how. You can find the link

Now I do like hot weather and the sunshine: I love the blue skies and all the natural vitamin d that the sun kindly gives us. But this weather has been hard for our two and four legged friends.

Some simple, practical tips to help keep our beloved pets warm, dry, and safe throughout the colder months.

On Monday, 25th August, something truly special happened — we officially opened the doors to Village Pet Stores in Haughton Green. Having a pet shop has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would walk into pet shops with wide eyes, completely fascinated by all the animals. I always thought that one day, I’d have a pet shop of my own. Over time, that dream has evolved. I’ve always loved animals — truly loved them — but I also know myself well

Hot days can be tough for our little friends, but with a few simple steps. you can keep them safe and comfy 1. Always provide cool fresh water and refill it regularly 2. Keep their cahe or hutch in the shade away from direct sunlight 3. Use fans or AC to keep the room temperature down 4. Place frozen water bottles or ceramic tiles in their space to help keep cooling 5. Avoid too much handling when it is hot - it can stress them out 6. Avoid too much handling when it is hot,

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I need to talk about something serious. As the weather warms up and we're all enjoying these beautiful sunny days, I'm seeing a DANGEROUS trend again. Yesterday while shopping for garden supplies, I saw a dog left in a car. They were there before we arrived and still there when we left 10+ minutes later. My car was reading 26°C and those barely cracked windows weren't helping that poor dog. Let me be clear: That small window opening that keeps your dog from being stolen ISN'T

Preparing Our Pets for Bonfire Night: A Guide to Keeping Them Safe and Calm As the excitement of Bonfire Night approaches, it's important to remember that what's a thrilling celebration for us can be a nightmare for our furry friends. Now is the perfect time to start preparing our pets for the upcoming festivities. Let's explore some strategies to help our companions stay calm and comfortable during this potentially stressful time. Understanding Stress Signs in Pets First, it

I see online or hear people say ‘adopt don’t shop’. It is a great sentiment, but is it really the best for everyone? People have the best of intentions, they want to save a dog from a life that is terrible. A life that may seem sad and harsh. A life that is full of pain and fear. But what is the reality of having a rescue dog? Before I continue I would like to just say that there are two rescue dogs in my immediate family: Indie was from Bosnia and we rescued her from a puppy

As a dog owner, you might be tempted to leave food out all day, thinking it's convenient or that your dog knows best when it comes to eating. But let me tell you why that's not the best idea for your canine companion. 1. Dogs Aren't Designed for All-Day Grazing Just like us humans shouldn't snack all day, dogs aren't meant to eat constantly. Their digestive systems are designed for meals, not continuous grazing. Leaving food out all day disrupts their natural eating patterns

Finding Joy in the Show Ring: My Unexpected Journey with Ren It was March 2024 when Ren and I stepped into the ring as exhibitors at Crufts. Me all dressed up, with my beautiful Kooikerhondje by my side. Let me tell you about the journey of showing. The Pre-Show Jitters Just days before the show, I was an absolute bundle of nerves. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios: What if I tripped and fell? What if Ren had an accident in the ring? What if people laughed at us? What i

My Thoughts on the Kennel Cough Vaccine for Dogs: A Personal Perspective Before I dive in, I want to make it crystal clear: this is my personal opinion. I'm not advising anyone against getting the kennel cough vaccine for their dogs. I firmly believe that all dogs should receive essential vaccinations – I've witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences when they don't. But when it comes to the kennel cough vaccine, I think it's worth having a thoughtful discussion. My goa

Puppy Sleep Training: Final Post for this Puppy Week Here's your plan for puppy bedtime success: Cozy Crate Setup: Use a crate (highly...

Let's talk about everyone's favourite topic - potty training! Here's what you need to know: Ditch the Puppy Pads: Controversial, I know!...

Bringing Home Your New Puppy The big day has arrived - you're bringing your new family member home! While it's an exciting time, it's crucial to approach it with a calm and prepared mindset. Here's a guide to make your puppy's homecoming a pawsitive experience: Timing is Everything: Bring your pup home early in the morning. This gives you a full day to help them settle in before bedtime. Evening arrivals can lead to sleepless nights for everyone! Keep Calm and Puppy On: Your

So you have decided what breed of dog you want, you have found a breeder (see yesterday's post), you are thinking about whether you want a boy or a girl, and if there is a particular colour you are looking for. And now you are on your way to see the pups for the first time. REMEMBER - pups give off pheromones like babies. It’s a special scent that says ‘love me’ ‘take me home’ ‘you can’t leave without me’. I’m not kidding, they really do. So you must prepare yourself to say n