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Dur Dog Toys by Spetacular Made from recycled balloons these toys are not only tough but also environmentally friendly. You can feel smug in the knowledge that you are helping to reduce waste materials whilst your dog is having fun. We bought the Dur Ball from Spetacular and loved that it’s designed so you can poke treats in to make it more interesting.  Bertie doesn’t play fetch very well. He’ll run and retrieve a ball but sadly he didn’t get the memo about giving it back. He clings on to that bad boy as if his life depends on it! Once Bertie gets bored chasing a normal ball he will sit and destroy it. First meticulously peeling off the furry outer before ripping apart the bald rubber. It’s usually decimated within minutes. With the Dur Ball from Spetacular we could extend his play time by inserting a handful of Doggy Delights Treats from Caboodle. Bertie, like most Beagles is completely food motivated so this was the best thing that could happen for him.  He sat, impatiently waiting for me to load in the treats. Crying intermittently at the unfairness of me not just letting him devour said treats immediately. As soon as it was finished he snatched it away and set to work. I was super impressed with the design and the durability. The ball is a great size for a medium sized dog and Bertie was challenged and stimulated by having to work to get the treats. The treats are gripped in with soft spikes so they stay put and don’t just fall straight out as soon as the ball is rolled. Despite some pretty ferocious chewing to get to the treats, this toy still looks perfect. He hasn’t done any damage at all. Obviously he will now expect treats in it every time he sees this ball. So it’s pretty much redundant as a fetch toy. But it’s still a great toy that we will use often and I’m sure he will be excited about. Dur Toys are available in different colours and are scented with natural flavours like vanilla and blueberry, so you don’t have that unpleasant balloon smell. We are told that they are also safety tested and approved to European Toy Safety Standard EN71. They are non-toxic and anti-bacterial so you can rest assured that your dog can play safely. This toy was purchased by me from the Spetacular stall at the recent Woof About Market in Chiswick. Visit the website www.spetacular.co.uk to find out which events you can find them at next or buy online. For more fantastic independent pet companies why not visit the next Woof About Market.

Collaboration event in Islington Square ***Saturday May 10th*** Save the date - more details coming soon!

Portraits of folk's furry children We met Graeme at Chelsea Dog Day last when he sketched Nacho and we just love his quirky style where he captures dog's true characters. Graeme Ross is an artist, designer and DJ from Scotland who loves to create dog artworks and portraits that encapsulate the joyous feeling of being free and present in the moment – not a care in the world. His Dogs Responding To The Huge Tunes series is inspired by acid house, early 90s rave culture, free jazz... and huge tunes in general. It’s also just drawings of dogs having a great time. Be more dog. We are delighted that Graeme will be joining us at the following events this year: Woof About Islington Square Saturday May 10th - book tickets here Woof About Shoreditch Saturday May 24th - book tickets here The Big Woof September 13th and 14th - tickets available early August DOG ARTIST DOG ILLUSTRATOR DOG SKETCHES DOG ART

Dog Friendly Hotel in the Cheshire Countryside @rambo_french_bulldog_ If I want to go on holiday then there is one non-negotiable and that is Rambo is coming with me. Rowton Hall Hotel is set in the perfect location approx 10 minutes from the centre of Chester so you can explore and then head to the hotel to unwind. @rambo_french_bulldog From the moment we checked in we were greeted by lovely staff who made sure we had everything we needed. @rambo_french_bulldog_ We stayed in an apartment which was perfect if you have a dog(s) with you. It has a living room with dining area, kitchen space, bathroom with shower and bath, bedroom and wardrobe room. There was a welcome pack for Rambo and a dog bowl which was a lovely touch. Having the kitchen space meant it was easy for me to take any food I needed for Rambo. @rambo_french_bulldog_ Dogs are more than welcome to join you for dinner in the bar area. My evening meal was delicious, I had the tagliatelle and then for desert I went for cheesecake, both were 11/10. We were back for breakfast in the morning and Rambo managed to get himself some sausages which he was very happy about. There was a wide range of food available on all menus and a good choice for vegetarians which was great to see. @rambo_french_bulldog_ Rambo loved walking around the grounds of the hotel and exploring and it was the perfect way to switch off and unwind for myself which was much need. When we were there we woke up to a frosty walk and within the hour the sun was shining, both of which were beautiful. Good to know: Hotel has car park with electric vehicle charging Max 2 dogs per room Extra charge of £20 per dog, per night Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa Rowton Ln Chester CH3 6AD DOG FRIENDLY CHESHIRE DOG FRIENDLY CHESTER DOG FRIENDLY HOTEL

Exploring Formby Beach Woods with Skye Together, myself and Skye like to explore and we recently got ourselves a National Trust Membership which has been so much fun!   @skyegsd23   On the first day of Spring, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, a scorching 18 degrees (ha!) so it was too nice of a day to stay in Manchester doing our usual walks. So we headed over to Formby which is around an hours drive for us. Now Formby is a National Trust beach, so members can scan their membership card for free parking, however non members can also go and pay to park which is £8.50 for the day.     Formby are currently doing some renovations to one of their car parks (Victoria Road car park) which is due to be completed next year, however you can still access everything at the Lifeboat Road car park. This is the one we use, there is access to the gorgeous sand dunes and the woods.     @skyegsd23 As the weather was so lovely, we headed towards the woods, this is a first time for me as I’ve always been one to go to the beach. It was like stepping into a magical wonderland, the trees were gorgeous, offered plenty of shade for Skye to run freely without overheating. We basically had the place to ourselves, perks of going during the week and I guess picking the woods rather than the beach!     Once you have finished your walk, there are toilets within the carpark and sometimes a coffee van, however on this day the coffee van wasn’t there so we can’t tell you how that was. Within the middle of the carpark there is also a big grassed picnic bench area, so don’t forget your picnic!     Location postcode - L37 2EB @skygsd23

11 UK Beaches to visit with your dog We've yet to meet a dog that didn't love the beach and we are lucky to have so many great ones in the UK to explore. Here are our top 11 dog friendly beaches that you need to check out before the summer restrictions kick in. But fear not, they are all dog friendly in some parts all year round. Hive Beach Hive Beach is a National Trust beach in Burton Bradstock, Dorset. The beach is mostly sandy with an elevated sea front path and there's a fabulous cafe which you can read about here. From June 1st dogs are permitted on East Beach only. For more info visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/hive-beach Holkham Beach Holkham Beach is part of the Holkham Estate near Wells-next-the-sea in Norfolk. This large sandy beach with dunes is a beautiful spot and is lined with pretty beach huts. The Globe is a great place to stay nearby. Holkham beach is dog friendly all year round except the first 200 yards from the entrance and also has some on-lead restrictions between April 1st and August 31st to protect vulnerable wildlife. For more info visit https://www.holkham.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/plan-your-visit/holkham-beach/ Camber Sands Camber Sands is a magnificent sandy beach with dunes near Rye in East Sussex. There aren't many facilities on the beach but The Gallivant is nearby and is a great place to stay or dine. From May 1st to September 30th dogs are not permitted in the area by the car parks. For more info visit https://www.rother.gov.uk/leisure-and-events/beaches-and-coastline/camber-sands/ West Wittering Bech Over to West Sussex for another fabulous beach in West Wittering. This sandy beach with large dunes and cute beach huts has a flat, gentle coastline so perfect for doggie paddles. West Wittering has a large beach cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The area in front of the beach huts is out of bounds to pooches from May 1st to September 30th but that leaves plenty of beach for us all year round. For more info visit https://www.westwitteringestate.co.uk/ Bexhill-on-Sea Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex is a quaint old English coastal town with a pebbly beach and a long promenade from which you can walk west to Eastbourne or East to Hastings. There are plenty of places for refreshments nearby and we recommend staying at The Relais Cooden Beach. From May 1st to September 30th dogs are not permitted on the beach between Brockley Road and Sea Road. For more info visit https://www.rother.gov.uk/leisure-and-events/beaches-and-coastline/bexhill-beach/ Eastbourne Next to Bexhill is Eastbourne which also has a long pebble beach with beach huts and a pier. The promenade leads all the way to Beachy Head and has a great cafe The Glasshouse and Eastbourne has plenty of other dining options. The area between the Wish Tower and the pier are out of bounds to dogs from May 1st to September 30th. For more info visit https://www.visiteastbourne.com/explore/seafront/beaches Sutton on Sea Sutton on Sea is a small seaside village in Lincolnshire with a deep sandy beach, lined with beach huts. There is a long promenade that leads all the way from Sandilands to Mablethorpe and Sutton itself has a brand new beach cafe that should be open in April 2025. No dogs between May 1st and September 30th applies to only a small section of beach in Sutton, leaving miles of beach left for us all year round. For more info visit https://www.suttononsea.info/sutton-on-sea-beach Whitby Beach The beach at Whitby in North Yorkshire is made up of West Cliff beach and Tate Hill beach, both of which are sandy. Tate Hill is small and in the sheltered area of the harbour and dogs are permitted here all year round. West Cliff is larger and lined with beach huts but dogs are not permitted between May 1st and September 30th. The beach is right in the town centre with plenty of options for refreshments (we really liked Hopes and Beans cafe) and obviously loads of fish and chip shops. Just watch out for the seagulls. For more info visit https://www.thewhitbyguide.co.uk/whitby-beaches/ Scarborough Scarborough in North Yorkshire has a large stretch of sandy beach that is split into North Bay and South Bay. Scarborough has plenty of options for dining including the wonderful Bike & Boot, where you can also stay. Read our review here. From May 1st to September 30th, dogs are permitted on the South Bay beach only. For more info visit https://www.visitscarborough.com/scarboroughbeaches Ryde Ryde is a lovely town on the Isle of Wight and has a fantastic sandy beach. There are plenty of lovely cafes in Ryde and you can read our full blog on IOW here. There are restriction in certain sections between May 1st and September 30th but the beach is so large you will always find a spot to explore all year. For more info visit https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/ryde-beach-p969861 Seaford Seaford is another pebbly East Sussex beach between Brighton and Eastbourne. The beach has a lovely promenade with beach huts that house small craft businesses in the summer. We highly recommend trying a Holy Cow ice cream. Dogs must be on leads on the promenade at all times and between May 1st and September 30th, we are not permitted on the beach between Frankie's Kiosk and Edinburgh Road. For more info visit https://www.seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk/visiting-seaford-seafront/

Dog friendly sound bathing with Gizelle Renee of I Am Being Doggy Sound Bath Experience at Smooch My Pooch Coco’s Zen Adventure at a Sound Bath Event As a devoted dog mum, I’m always looking for new ways to bond with Coco while ensuring she’s happy, healthy, and living her best life. So when I heard about Sound Bath for Dogs & Humans with I Am Being at Smooch My Pooch Battersea London , I knew we had to experience it together, especially as we reset before the Chinese New Year. This experience felt like the perfect way to clear our minds and embrace fresh energy for the year ahead. A Unique Wellness Experience for Pups & Their Humans Walking into the venue, the atmosphere was instantly calming: dimmed lights, soft blankets, and a peaceful energy that enveloped the space, setting the tone for deep relaxation. In the hustle and bustle of the city, it was exactly the peaceful escape we needed. The event was designed to promote rest, relaxation, and overall wellbeing for both humans and their furry companions, creating a moment of tranquility before the busy season ahead. As the session began, the sound bowls filled the air with gentle vibrations. The soothing frequencies helped us both find stillness and peace. We could almost feel ourselves being transported to a serene forest, where the calm hum of nature took over. I watched as Coco slowly settled down, her usual playful energy replaced by a serene stillness. It was heartwarming to see her embrace the moment, completely at ease, as the vibrations worked their magic. Benefits We Felt By the end of the session, we both felt lighter, calmer, and completely rejuvenated. It was the perfect reset, helping us clear our minds and recharge for the year ahead. That night, Coco had one of the best sleeps ever, and I found myself drifting into a peaceful slumber as well. The experience reminded me of the importance of quiet moments amidst the chaos. Sometimes, a little peace is all we need. It was a gentle yet powerful reminder that selfcare isn’t just for us; our pups deserve it too! Would We Do It Again? 100% YES! If you’re looking for a special way to bond with your dog and try something new, I highly recommend checking out a sound bath experience. Whether your pup is high energy or already a pro at relaxation, it’s a beautiful way to unwind together and start the new year with fresh energy. Coco and I are already looking forward to our next wellness adventure. Maybe puppy yoga next? 🧘‍♀️ The Immersive Doggy Sound Bath experience with Gizelle is held each month at Smooch My Pooch, Battersea and Gizelle will be hosting Dog Sound Bathing at this year's Big Woof on September 13th and 14th. Follow @gizellerenee for more details.

Bon Monkee - Stylish raincoats for dogs Orange Peel Raincoat Bon Monkee was started by Nur who, following a career in fashion saw a gap in the dog world when it came to stylish raincoats. As London dogs know, it does rain quite a bit here and sometimes we still want to get out but not get soaking wet. Bon Monkee raincoats are not just practical in keeping us dry and saving the humans some cleaning, but they are also super stylish and come in a range of colours to suite all tastes. Rose Jumper @cocodeardiary For those colder days, Bon Monkee also have a range of jumpers in 3 colours. Our Woofer Coco is modelling the Rose Pink jumper. All the jumpers are handcrafted in Turkey. Compared to other brands, our wool-blend jumpers are exceptionally thick, keeping pups extra warm. The most beautiful part? The yarns are recycled, and each jumper is 100% handmade. Bon Monkee will be joining us at Woof About Chiswick Flower Market on April 6th so pop along and see their wonderful range for yourselves.

Dog Friendly Manchester Cafe Rambo Rambo loves to take me for a coffee at the weekend (to get himself a puppuccino) and his number one choice is Gran T's Coffee House . This is their second location based in Ancoats which opened just over a year ago. Drinks include coffee, hot chocolate and milkshakes and their food menu has pasties, cake and sandwiches, as well as their recent introduction of a breakfast/brunch menu with granola, toast, eggs, sausages, etc. My fave - Iced caramel latte and scrambled eggs on sourdough toast Rambos fave - puppuccino and some of those scrambled eggs too! Beautiful decor, lovely staff who know your name and always give an amazing greeting once you walk through the door.  Gran T's Coffee House 54-58 Great Ancoats Street Manchester M4 5AB

Woof About joins Chiswick Flower Market on April 6th Join us this April for our first collaboration with Chiswick Flower Market. Dogs and flowers are a great combo - so that's why we will be bringing our Woof About Market to join the wonderful flower and plant sellers at Chiswick Flower Market on Sunday April 6th. The April show will be opened by TV host Nikki Chapman and Garden Designer Arit Anderson. You will find some of the best plants and flowers available in London all in one from celebrated florists and garden experts such as Hardy's Cottage Garden (with 24 Chelsea Gold Medals) and Steve Burridge from Columbia Road Flower Market. Snap a pic of your dog with some flowers and get the photo turned into a work of art by Sophie Stock who will be at the George IV pub on the day. Book your sketch with Sophie here. Sophie can create a sketch of your pooch in 40 minutes so you can collect your portrait after you've done a spot of shopping at our market. Woof About Market will be joining CFM on April 6th with a whole host of fabulous pet businesses - so pooch won't be left out when it comes to getting that little something special. Check out who will be there: 2&4 Pets - Stylish Accessories Artemis - Skin and Coat Care Bew Dogs - Leads, collars and harnesses Bon Monkee - Raincoats Brian Recommends - Natural, air-dried gourmet Treats Caboodle - Treats and Food Doggy Vits - Supplements for dogs Green Dog - Stylish leads and collars Hilary's Hounds - Clothing for cool dogs IPE Brazil - Beaded Brazilian Collars Pawd Drinks - Healthy drinks for dogs Paw London - super stylish leads and collars Talula Eats - tasty treats for dogs The Salvatore Paws - stylish knitwear The Sociable Pup Co - leads, collars and accessories Waita Pets - freeze dried treats Follow @woofabout for updates on other doggy activities happening on the day.

Exploring dog friendly Devon Nacho The Devon is one of the most stunning areas in the UK from the stunning English Riviera to the wilds of Dartmoor, it's a great spot to explore with your pooch and luckily there's plenty of dog friendly places to visit. We spent 48 hours exploring Devon, starting with a stay at The Cary Arms in Babbacombe Bay near Torquay. This amazing hotel is the perfect base from where to explore the English Riviera and it's location in the bay is great for relaxing. The Four Legged Foodies We stayed in one of their Beach Suites which have masses of space and their own private terrace overlooking the bay. The room had beds, bowls and treats waiting for us and the humans had some treats waiting for them too. Dogs are welcome everywhere inside and out at The Cary Arms (just not the Spa) The food for humans is delicious and can be enjoyed in the restaurant or on the terrace area. Just look at that view!! The Cary Arms Babbacombe Beach Devon TQ1 3LX Anstey's Cove From the hotel there's some great coastal walks - we recommend a visit to Anstey's Cove for some stunning pics. After exploring the Devon coast, we decided to find out what it's countryside had to offer too and headed to Dartmoor. The Bearslake Inn is near Okehampton and is a stick's throw away from the National Park. This fabulous country pub with rooms embodies everything you'd expect from an English country pub. The menu is restaurant quality and the humans enjoyed excellent food. Dogs are also well catered for with our own hamper of treats plus beds, blankets and bowls. The Bearslake Inn has a beautiful garden with a little stream running through it. Unfortunately, the weather turned bad during our stay so we snuggled up by the fire instead. Bearslake Inn Okehampton, Devon. EX20 4HQ Lettiesdogdays Another great part of Devon to visit is the pretty harbour town of Dartmouth and you can read Lettie's blog here.

Exploring this dog friendly Devon town Dartmouth is a beautiful medieval town situated at the mouth of the River Dart. The Royal Naval College sits on the hill overlooking the town. Dartmouth Castle is situated at the end of the river where it meets the sea and dates back over 600 years.    A fabulous way to arrive in Dartmouth is to take a trip on the Devon Steam Railway to Kingswear and then hop on the ferry to cross the river. Both of which are very dog friendly. There is also a car ferry that leaves from Kingswear.  Agatha Christie's House   Make sure to take the Greenway Ferry Boat for a sail down the river where you will see Greenway, the famous Summer home of the crime writer Agatha Christie, you will also see the boathouse which was the setting for her novel A Dead Man's Folly. There are many dog friendly places to eat in Dartmouth including Bayard's Cove and The Mad Hatter tea room.   There really is no better place to visit than Dartmouth for a truly memorable day out.