Why Cornwall wins Daniel the Spaniel's Vote

No, nothing to do with the elections today (although it's always a good idea to exercise your right to have a say!), but a subject I think we're all wanting to think about at the moment: holidays! Here Wag! Editor Deana Selby tells us all about a recent family trip to the south west of England, and why Daniel the Spaniel gives it two paws up:

I’m not in the habit of extolling the virtues of most holiday destinations, but the holiday my family and I just spent on the south coast of Cornwall was really worth breaking the habit for.

As the proud owner/parent of a lively dog and two equally lively children, it’s essential that our annual holiday ticks these boxes:  Are the kids welcome?  Is the Spaniel welcome?  Bitter experience has taught me and my husband that holidays very quickly descend into a smog of grumpy mayhem if one or both parties are not welcomed with open arms.

I am delighted to report that Cornwall, specifically the area around Polperro and Fowey, is not only great for children but is terrifically mutt-friendly too.  Never before have we been greeted by smiling faces and offers of a chewy treat and big bowl of water before we’d even entered the café;  No sooner had we tied Daniel to the dog hitch outside than the fish and chip shop proprietor came out and insisted that dogs were very definitely welcome in her restaurant;  At the museum, Mr D was welcomed as a long lost friend.

In fact, pretty much everywhere we went people were delighted to see Daniel and had to be politely dissuaded from feeding him yet more treats.  At first we were stunned, then, as the week progressed, we saw more and more signs around Cornwall proclaiming “Dogs welcome”.

The children were thrilled that other grown ups could see that Daniel was part of the family.  Daniel was thrilled that he was actively encouraged to sample delicious Cornish pasties.  (He disapproves of the government’s new pasty tax.)  My husband and I were thrilled that for once, our kids and our dog could enjoy a holiday doing fun things together, instead of being left outside with just a resentful adult for company.

With the post holiday laundry done and the suitcases packed back in the basement, it feels like it’s already time to start planning our next trip.

Cornwall – consider this a warning.

Don't forget that you can book a pet-friendly cottage in the UK this summer and help our dogs at the same time. We get 10% of the holiday cost automatically when you book online and our partnership with Welcome Cottages has raised over £320,000 over the years! Dogs always stay free.

Friday Poll: What do you do with your dog during holidays?

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but I'm actually away on holiday, and some of these posts were written before I left to make sure that you'd have plenty to read and enjoy while I'm away. So, especially as I've just reviewed the Good Guide to dog-friendly places around the country, I got to thinking: what do pet owners do at holiday times?

My two kittens are in the safe, warm and enthusiastic care of my obliging, cat-loving mum. Dogs are often more adept travellers than cats, though, so perhaps if I had a dog comfortable in the car I'd stick to holidays that are within easy driving distance and take them along. Or maybe a boarding kennels would be more appropriate if I were flying a long distance and didn't have family or friends able and willing to commit to lots of walks.

How do you deal with holidays?

Book Review: Good Guide to Dog Friendly Pubs, Hotels and B&Bs

Having spent some time going through the Good Guide I can tell you that it really does do what it says on the cover: it's a guide, and it's a good one!

The fourth edition of this handy guide is edited by the team behind the popular Good Pub Guide, with information correct as of the end of 2008. As the editors rightly point out, a single unfortunate dog-related experience can mean an entire dog-friendly policy is rescinded, but there are plenty of ways to get in touch and give your experiences listed in the book to help future editions stay as up to date as possible.

The guide opens with a list of particularly lovely walks around Great Britain (Northern Ireland is not included, just mainland GB and the Channel Islands) followed by a calendar of dog events across England, Scotland and Wales. Thereafter it's divided into counties. Each county lists first the pubs with a dog-friendly policy, followed by hotels, inns and B&Bs with a similarly welcoming attitude.

Descriptions are short and to the point, with addresses / some directions, a summary in bold of the character of the venue, a concise but more detailed description and opening hours, extra information and prices where relevant underneath.

A typical example, taken from the Devon section:

POSTBRIDGE

Warren House

B3212 0.75 miles NE of Postbridge; PL20 6TA

Straightforward old pub, relaxing for a drink or snack after a Dartmoor hike

Friendly and with plenty of atmosphere, this straightforward place is most welcome after a hike on Dartmoor. One of the fireplaces in the cosy bar is said to have been kepy alight almost continuously since 1845, and there are simple furnishings like easy charis and settles under the beamed ochre ceiling, old pictures of the innon the partly panelled stone walls, and dim lighting (fuelled by the pub's own generator); a family room also. Decent hearty food meets most walkers' needs. otter Alex, Ringwood Old Thumper, St Austell Tribute and a guest beer on handpump, local farm cide and malt whiskies; piped music, darts and poo. The picnic-sets on both sides of the road have moorland views.

Free house ~ Licensee Peter Parsons ~ Real ale ~ Bar food (all day but more restricted winter Mon and Tues) ~ (01822) 880208 ~ Children in family room ~ Dogs allowed in bar ~ Open 11-11; 12-10.30 Sun; 11-5 Mon and Tues during Nov-Feb.

With a few handy maps and a clutch of report forms for you to inform them of your experiences, the guide is complete. I can imagine it being a very helpful reference guide, especially now that people are holidaying much more at home, and definitely worth the £9.99 it costs (currently reduced at Amazon).

The publishers, Ebury Press, might sound familiar if you're a regular reader of the blog, as they run the Ebury Book Club on our community site, DoggySnaps, which means the chance to get your hands on free books for lucky members and an open discussion that everyone can take part in.

Dog-friendly holidays: Ballachulish Hotel, Scottish Highlands

I've just returned from the freezing and extremely beautiful West Highlands, staying on the banks of Loch Linnhe (about two hours drive north west of Glasgow, or half an hour from Fort William). What struck me - aside from the good food, cheerful residents and positively cinematographic beauty of the place - was how very dog-friendly the hotel I stayed in was, and what a lot of scope for wonderful walks there was.

The Ballachulish Hotel is a pleasantly crumbly place on the banks of the Loch, which does package deals for short breaks that work out decent value due to the good meals included. In their brochure they state that dogs and other pets are welcome by arrangement, and well-behaved pooches can come into the communal (though obviously not eating) areas. We found ourselves sharing afternoon tea time by the fire with a very curious and bouncie Westie (how appropriate!), two curious black Labradors and a bouncy - and huge! - one year old Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Crossing the road to spend a few peaceful moments watching the mist change colour as the sun rose above the hills, I reflected that it was the perfect place for an active dog. Just in that one stretch of ground there was a pebbled shore, a grassy bank, a brook, some muddier patches and of course the water of the Loch - a veritable symphony of sights, smells and textures. As if to prove my point, the Labs came bounding over to investigate our ankles and generally explore.

We encountered another Lab and a Collie on walks in nearby Inchree and Callop (which I'll forever think of as Narnia, thanks to the photo we took, above), so clearly the locals have the right idea. Another hotel we stopped at for lunch in Arisaig while exploring the area by car had a couple of resident pooches of its own, Harris and Lewis; I don't think I've ever met such a docile, friendly and good-natured pair of dogs (except maybe Hubble).

Despite being a cat owner, it seems work comes with you wherever you go - even on honeymoon. As more people choose to stay at home to save travelling costs, I suspect Scotland will become a mecca for dog owners as they find the freedom to enjoy a holiday with their best four-legged friends.

A 'Welcome' donation to Dogs Trust of £100,000

Last week a major milestone was reached as Dogs Trust confirmed that the charity has received £100,000 in donations through a partnership with Welcome Cottages. Welcome Cottages partnered with Dogs Trust five years ago to donate 10 percent of every cottage rental to the charity.

The valuable funds raised will be used to provide care in the 17 rehoming centres nationwide and help Dogs Trust to support its education and outreach projects.

Welcome Cottages will continue to donate 10 per cent of every cottage rental booked through direct booking line and www.dogstrust-cottages.co.uk.

A large proportion of the money raised will be used to build and equip a brand new vet suite at the Darlington rehoming centre, Hill House Farm. The centre, which provides care for over 120 dogs, will use the new suite to carry out small operations including dental work, neutering and microchipping.

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Chief Executive of the Dogs Trust said:

“Being able to offer Dogs Trust loyal supporters the opportunity to book pet friendly holidays whilst donating to the charity is an ideal partnership. Money raised is used for spreading the word about responsible dog ownership, developing new rehoming centre facilities and investing in long-term education programmes in schools and clubs across the UK.”