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?

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.”