I love dogs - and I know how important it is to find a genuine dog lover to look after your baby... somebody who inspires confidence, evokes trust, and has an empathy with dogs as well as possessing all the crucial practical skills that you look for in a dog minder. I know because I was a devoted ‘mum’ to my beloved lurcher, Roxy. Sadly, she died suddenly in 2019 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, so there are now no dogs living in our home which I know is important to some owners when it comes to boarding. Before Roxy, there was Bru, Buster, Bonnie and Shep... in fact I've been surrounded by dogs (and other animals... furry, feathery and fishy!) throughout my entire life. I'm not an expert. I don't have a string of animal behaviour/care qualifications - and I totally understand that this can be vitally important to some owners. But I do possess common sense and oodles of cuddles... as well as most of the practical know-how you'd want in a minder. The local area: I'm fortunate that I live in a picturesque part of Salford, next to Worsley woods and the loopline, perfect locations for walking dogs. There are also greens, dog-only fields and parks in the area, so plenty of options to ensure your pup never gets bored. I have a car so venturing further afield is not a problem so long as your dog is accustomed to being in a car - ie. is confident, calm and clean. My home: If you need your dog boarding, my home is a three story property on a quiet cul-de-sac with very little traffic. It’s very relaxed here and dogs are welcome throughout the house (just so long as they can be trusted to be clean and not dig holes in my furniture... Roxy was particularly adept at that!) I work from home, so I'm around most of the day which usually means I have a dog sitting on my feet under the desk or curled up next to me on the sofa. The garden is enclosed and offers a secure play area. There is a fence at the back that could be jumped by a particularly agile dog with a mind to escape... but I've not had any try it so far! And I always supervise dogs when they are in the garden so they're not left to their own devices. Special care needs: I'm happy to administer medicines (oral and injection) and will follow your instructions on your dog's healthcare to the letter. Please advise if your dog has any allergies to specific foods. I tend to give my house guests natural unprocessed treats such as fresh chicken or sliced ham... again, please advise if you prefer your dog not to have these. And of course feel free to drop off your dog's favourite treats - I'm sure it will be appreciated! New customers: I know from experience that all dogs are characters with unique personality traits - and they all have their little foibles! So for new dogs, I think it's really important to get to meet him/her before I commit. If the booking enquiry involves a stop-over of more than 1 or 2 nights, then I ask owners to book in an overnight trial - just to ensure everybody's happy! If there's any issues... chewing furniture... indoor scent marking... severe cases of separation anxiety... fear aggression... excessive barking... vacuum cleaner phobia... stealing from worktops... please let me know so we can talk through a strategy on how to manage and anticipate potential issues in advance. There's not much I haven't had prior experience of! I've cared for, boarded and walked many dogs - of all breeds, shapes, sizes and dispositions - and I find their company one of the most joyful and fulfilling of all of life's experiences. I'm looking forward to meeting you and your pooch! Meanwhile, just a few bits of housekeeping... Overlapped bookings: Whilst I can't guarantee it at all times, I usually prefer to limit dog boarding to one dog (or dogs from the same household) at any one time so I can devote as much time as possible to each dog on an individual basis. Occasionally I'll agree to have two dogs from different households but only if I'm confident that they'll be compatible. Sometimes there is an overlap at the start or end of consecutive bookings with other dogs, and I'll chat with you should this arise. If there are any concerns around compatibility, the house is big enough to allow for dogs to be kept separate from one another should it be necessary to do so for their safety and your peace of mind. I also only walk two dogs maximum, and only once I'm confident that they're happy to be together. Drop-off and Pick-up times: The overnight rate typically covers a 24 hour period but I am flexible if you're rushing about and need an extra couple of hours! I won't charge for a couple of hours. Please discuss if you wish to extend an overnight stay beyond this or if you plan to drop off/pick up your dog/s outside normal hours eg. 7.00am - 7.00pm. I can usually accommodate most timings but it's always worth checking in advance. One final thing... through minding dogs, I've been able to make regular donations to a number of animal rescue charities over the past few years, including the amazing Dogs4Rescue here in Manchester... Cyprus Dog Rescue... Hillside Animal Sanctuary... Brooke Action for working Horses and Donkeys... SPANA Society for Protection of Animals Abroad... Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand... and WWF. So a BIG thank you to all the owners who, by booking with The Furry Godmother, are helping these worthy charities!