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Goodbye 2019 – Welcome 2020!

 

Happy 2020

Happy 2020

 

A Happy New Year to you all – I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Here’s to a wonderful 2020!

Some of your dogs spent Christmas with our lovely hosts this year – they enjoyed themselves and Santa paws even visited them with a gift!

I had the pleasure of attending the Barking Mad Regional meeting in Taunton during December – It was great to catch up with everyone over a superb Christmas meal.  Sharing tips and anecdotes, it was a lovely day.

 

Christmas Collage

Barking Mad Christmas Dogs.

 

Trustpilot Reviews

Again, we have had some great reviews via Trustpilot:

“Alison seems to genuinely care and makes all efforts to accommodate your dogs and their foibles!”

“Fantastic and caring service…. Would highly recommend.”

“She always seems very happy afterwards and goes there happily too….Her medication wasn’t a problem either.”

“Would recommend and use the service again!”

Thanks so much for your lovely comments – the best part of the job is knowing that my customers and their dogs are happy and enjoy their holidays 😉

 

Dogs for Good

Prince

Dogs for Good Prince

 

Dogs for Good has been Barking Mad’s chosen charity since 2018 – Dogs for Good train dogs to assist children and adults with autism, physical disabilities, special educational needs and dementia.  Barking Mad are proud to sponsor two dogs, Prince and Wendy through their training – a total of £19,000 has been raised so far and we are delighted to announce that newly qualified Prince has been matched with 6 year old Harry, who has autism.  Prince will work with Harry to help him overcome challenges in his life.

Barking Mad Pontypool has a Dogs for Good fundraising page – please help us reach our target this year!

 

Networking

I have attended a number of networking events over the last couple of months, some at 7.00 am (up at 5.30 am to get there!) and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and telling them all about Barking Mad, and the services we can offer.  I have always had great interest and feel I am gaining confidence in talking about myself and making connections with other small business owners.

Part of my networking has included attending many Christmas Fayres with the Barking Mad stand, talking to other dog lovers in the local area.  My thanks go out to Abertillery Youth Centre, Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Bassaleg Community Centre and Greenmeadow Golf Club for their warm welcome – I am looking forward to the summer fayres.

 

Dog Blog

Have you seen our winter dog blogs – there are some useful tips and information to read:

Top Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Dark

Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

How to Care for Your Dog in Winter

Why do Dogs Lick Their Lips?

 

Barking Mad’s 20th Birthday

20 Birthday Logo

Barking Mad’s 20th Birthday

 

This year heralds to start of 20 years of Barking Mad!  Barking Mad launched in 2000 in Kirkby Lonsdale as an alternative to kennels.  Watch this space for news and celebrations during the coming year.

To kick off the new year we have had our first article published on the Abergavenny Now Website – Overcoming Doglessness and Helping to Ease Social Isolation – Barking Mad Alternative to Dog Ownership Celebrates 20 Years.  It’s all about Jennifer Davies and how hosting for Barking Mad over the last 14 years has changed her life.

 

Winter with Barking Mad

Dogs In Winter

Winter with Barking Mad

 

The start of 2020 for Barking Mad Pontypool will begin with a marketing campaign – leaflet drops, network meetings, facebook campaigns and posters in local areas will all be included –  give us a wave if you see us out and about in the Barking Mad car, follow us on facebook and/or instagram and share our posts.  Please feel free to talk about us with your friends and family – a recommendation is always valued.

We are well into winter now and bookings have started coming in for the spring/summer months.  Please note:  I will be away from April 7th to April 23rd 2020 – I will only be accepting a small number of bookings for this time (my Son will be collecting and delivering).  Also my colleague Lucy has kindly offered to help out, so I may be putting you in touch with her.  If you are likely to want a booking for this time can you please let me know in plenty of time to allow me to organise for you.

Stepping into Autumn at Barking Mad Pontypool

 

Dog With Leaves

A dog playing in the leaves

 

We started Autumn with a bang this month, with lots of dogs out on their holidays. As well as Red, Elam, Khaleesi, Daisy & Lily, Bonnie, Alice, Lola, Archie and Percy, we welcomed Lily our youngest doggy holiday guest at 4 months old.  We also worked alongside Barking Mad Lyndey to offer a holiday home-from-home to Barley from the Forest of Dean.  This September we also welcomed 2 new new hosts to our Barking Mad dogsitting family (Linda and Jackie & Peter).

As a result of our recent doggy holidays we have received a number of 5 star reviews via Trustpilot;

“a first class, reassuring service from the intial meeting…”

“I will definitely be using Barking Mad again.  Thank you for taking such good care of them”

“We would 100% recommend to anybody who want’s their dog to have VIP treatment when you can’t be there”

It is always lovely to receive feedback and to know our customers and their beloved pets are happy with the service we provide.

 

 

#DogRemembranceMonth

 

Dog Remembrance

Dog Bereavement & Rainbow Bridge Remembrance

 

 

September 1st saw the start of #DogRemembranceMonth at Barking Mad, providing an opportunity to celebrate the lives of dogs who have passed over the rainbow bridge.  Barking Mad also provide a support group through Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/DogBereavement where members can receive support and understanding on their loss, share stories and upload photographs of their beloved dogs and remember their lives.

 

Networking

 

This month Barking Mad Pontypool had the pleasure of attending the first ‘Ladies who Latte’ Newport branch meeting at the Beefeater Coldra.  This supportive group of women who either run their own business, or would like to start a business  offer support, friendship, advice, contacts and business leads.  The group will meet every month over a cup of coffee and everyone is welcome.

We also had the opportunity to attend the Superfast Busines Wales event – Digital Marketing. This course offers support to local businesses in the use of online marketing tools such as web sites, facebook, twitter and Instagram and aids the understanding of using online dashboards to generate marketing techniques and strategies for your business.  We also had the chance to meet up with Emma from Business Wales for a one to one guidance session to help with our future strategies and goals.  This was a very informative session that we will be making the most of during the rest of the year.

Barking Mad Pontypool have joined forces with the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisation (GAVO) to promote our hosting opportunies and this September we were included in their quarterly magazine – the Voluntary Voice.  Hosting provides benefits such as wellbeing, socializing and enhance the general quality of lives –  would like to become a volunteer host with Barking Mad please contact Alison on 01495 400195 or visit Barking Mad for more information.

 

Autumnal Walks

 

Autumnal Walks

Autumn time in Gwent

 

 

Autumn is always a lovely time to get out and about in your local area and we have made the most of it this Autumn, walking with Poppet and Sweep and some of our lovely guests to Pen y fan pond, Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Six Bells Memorial, Abertillery Park and Cwmtillery Lakes.  All dog friendly walking areas where they have enjoyed, running, sniffing, swimming, meeting other doggy friends and exploring the many trails.  A lovely way to keep fit and enjoy our beautiful valleys.

 

Christmas is soon upon us!

 

Christmas

Christmas decorations

 

 

November heralds the start of the Christmas Fayres and Barking Mad will be attending;

Greenmeadow Christmas Fayre – Wed 13th November at 6.30-8.30 pm

Griffithstown Christmas Fayre – Sat 16th Nov at 1pm – 4 pm

Bassaleg Christmas Fayre – Sun 17th Nov at 10am – 4pm

Goytre Wharf Christmas Market – Sat 23rd Nov at tbc

Abertillery Youth Centre Christmas Fayre – Thurs 28th Nov at 4pm – 7pm

Fourteen Locks Canal Centre Christmas Market – Fri 29th Nov at 6.30pm – 8.30pm

 

Why not pop along to talk to us or just to say hello, browse the market stalls and enjoy the Christmas festivities.

 

 

Winter Availability

 

Winter is nearly here – If you are looking for one to one home boarding we have some availability for Dec, Jan and Feb.  Please ring now to avoid disappointment.

 

Summer Fun at Barking Mad Pontypool

 

Barking Mad Pontypool offered fantastic holidays for dogs this summer

Summer doggy holidays with Barking Mad Pontypool

 

What a fab time we have had this summer at Barking Mad Pontypool – from remote working (in the sunshine), travelling around Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport and Monmouthshire in the barking mad car, beach outings, attending local events taling about our home from home dog boarding holidays, entering dog shows to meeting our new furry guests and their humans.  A jam packed glorious summer!

Barking Mad Pontypool has been working closely with Barking Mad Lydney during the last couple of months, meeting up for working lunches at the café in the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre to develop our bespoke one to one home boarding businesses.  It is a lovely family and dog friendly location managed by the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust (MBACT).  If you are visiting when we are around, please come over to say hello.

 

Gabby And Pedro the lovely lydney mascots

Working lunch with Barking Mad Lydney

 

Summer Fun Days

barking mad pontypool events summer 2019 dog sitting

Local summer events at Barking Mad Pontypool

 

Barking Mad have been attending lots of local events this summer, talking to everyone about our 5 star, alternative to kennels doggy holidays. I have had the opportunity to meet loads of lovely dogs who have been attending the dog shows and have even been able to enter my own dog, Poppet.  Poppet enjoyed spending time with me at the events and loved entering the shows.

Interactive Play Workshop

I had the opportunity to attend the Interactive Play Workshop, as a spectator at the South Wales Esquarian Centre, hosted by Dog First Aid South Wales and run by Craig Ogilvie.  It was a very informative session, in which we learned how to create positive interactive play sessions, which will help build confidence and relationships with our dogs.  I have since tried out some of the advice with my labrador Sweep (think we need a bit more practice).

Beach Outing

Day At The Beach with barking mad pontypool dogs summer

Local summer events at Barking Mad Pontypool

 

Poppet, Jasper and Mabel (a holiday guest), along with Barking Mad Pontypool and one of my hosts went out for the day to Newton Bay, Porthcawl.  We all had a fabulous day, chasing balls, running in and out of the sea, playing in the sand and rounded it all off with a nice drink in a beer garden.  The dogs slept all the way home!

Reviews

We were again delighted to receive another 5 star review, along with a 4 star review on TrustPilot and a lovely review on facebook – Receiving feedback is always good and these reviews give me the confidence that I am doing my job well.  I know that the dogs have enjoyed their holidays, but it is always nice to find out that their humans have had a lovely time and not had to worry about their fur babies.

I could not do my job without my fantastic hosts, who welcome each and every furry guest into their homes.  The hosts have a lovely time with their doggy guest, walking, playing, trips out and lots of fun and cuddles.  If you would like to become a Barking Mad host contact me on 01495 400195.

Autumn/Winter Availability

 

Dog With Leaf

Dog watching leaf – credit to Miriadna.com

 

Autumn is nearly upon us – If you are looking for one to one home boarding we have some availability for Oct, Nov and Dec.  Please ring now to avoid disappointment.

Barking Madness in June

 

 

Doggy Holidays In June

Doggy Holidays in June

 

June has been a busy time for Barking Mad Dog Care Pontypool – doggy holidays, events, networking, new hosts visits and taking my 2 labradors to the vets (cut paw and swimmer’s tail), it’s been non stop, but great fun!

We have been thrilled to meet some fabulous dogs this month and escort them to their holiday homes, where they have all had a lovely time enjoying their 5 star home from home dog boarding holidays, making new friends and returning home relaxed and happy.  I love my job!

 

Danny is now Barking Mad!

 

Danny (002)

Danny – Dog Chauffeur

 

 

I would like to welcome the newest member of my team, Danny.  Danny has taken on the role of doggy chauffeur and loves escorting the dogs on their holidays and taking them back home again.  He is a great addition to the team.  If you see him out and about in Pontypool, Cwmbran, Newport, Abergavenny, Crickhowell or Blackwood driving the Barking Mad car, give him a wave.

 

Events

 

Barking mad has also attended many events this June, talking to everyone about Barking Mad.  I had the opportunity to attend Dogfest (Bristol) with other South West Barking Mad business owners.  Some of us were lucky to judge the fun dog show – I had the pleasure to judge the ‘My Pet’s Got Talent’ show.  June also saw Barking Mad Pontypool attend Llanhilleth Table Top Sale, National Volunteer’s Week with GAVO and Llantarnam Family Fun Day at Oakfield Park.

 

 

Events

Some of our events this June

 

Barking Mad Pontypool will also be attending Cwmbran Party in the Park 11-3pm on July 14th and  Paws for Ponthir Fun Day 12-6pm on July 21st.  Please come along to say hello.

 

Woofing Webinar

 

On June 21st Sweep and Poppet joined 76 other dogs in the Barking Mad Woofing Webinar (live video call) Record Attempt for Bring Your Dog to Work Day, along with the founders HOWND and lots of other businesses.  You can watch the Woofing Webinar on our Barking Mad Dog Care YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUvQ3LQaLSU&t=470s

 

 

Bydtwd

Sweep and Poppet in the Barking Mad office

 

 

5 star Trustpilot Review

 

Trustpilot Review (002)

Barking Mad Pontypool first 5 star Trustpilot review

 

We were delighted to receive our first 5 star review this month – this was so lovely and makes it all worth while.  I would like to say a big thankyou to all my hosts who have all done a brilliant job welcoming their furry guests into their homes.

Wow, what a month!  Let’s do it all again……

What have Barking Mad Dog Care Pontypool been doing in May 2019?

 

Me And Sweep

My first photo shoot with Sweep

 

What a busy time I’ve had in my first month at Barking Mad Pontypool, the alternative to dog kennels, offering the best holiday care for dogs in Bleanau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Newport and Monmouthshire.

Kirkby Lonsdale (002)

The beautiful views of Kirkby Lonsdale

 

It all started with my home boarding for dogs training at HQ in the beautiful Kirkby Lonsdale.  It was fascinating to learn about dog sitting, dog behavior and how to offer the best pet sitting service.

Conference (002)

Barking Mad Conference at Lake Windermere

 

I also had the opportunity to attend my first Barking Mad Conference at Lake Windermere, meeting all the other business owners, talking about home from home dog boarding and sharing tips on how to operate a professional local dog sitting service.

Barking Mad Car (002)

Safe travel in my Barking Mad car

 

May also involved getting my car ready for my first doggy holiday – thanks to Boot Buddy and Signs Express I can transport any furry guest safely to their dog holiday destination.

Dogs

Meeting lots of lovely dogs

 

I have been out and about in my local area spreading the word about my dog sitting services meeting lots of lovely dogs (and their owners, of course), finding out about their likes and dislikes, daily routines and special considerations.

I have really enjoyed talking about dogs with my fabulous new hosts and customers, getting to grips with the paperwork, Instagram, facebook, twitter, linkedin and spreading the word about my pet sitting services with Barking Mad Pontypool.  If you see me out and about in your area give me a wave or come over to say hello.

It’s been a busy but enjoyable month so far – bring on the next one!

 

 

 

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