Mutterings
Welcome to Mutterings; Proprietor (& former journalist) Sarah Mountford's collection of photos, articles, links, comment, videos, recommendations and understandings from the world of Mutts.
HOW HAVE WE SURVIVED WITHOUT…?
We’re delighted to announce the (impending) launch of our new HoM Mutt Mitts. Somewhat akin to a wet wipe, but in a mitt form – which offers a whole lot more protection for your hand if you’re tacking something truly unpleasant; and gives a lot more surface area for extra shampoo and conditioner
COOL SCHOOL: WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT A MUSIC FESTIVAL WOULD BE SUCH A PERFECT TRAINING GROUND!
HOUSE OF MUTT @ LUCKNAM PARK, SPRING 2017
Pictures paint a thousand words so I'll leave it to the photos to tell the story of the first HoM @ Lucknam Park Retreat!
SPACE + TIME = HAPPY
Dogs are remarkably good at fitting in with and adapting to our lifestyles. That's why Beryl and Penny are currently curled up under my desk, busy keeping my feet warm as opposed to running across the prairie in wild wolfy packs (and definitely not being called Beryl and Penny while they're at it!). But sometimes that incredible adaptability and empathy can lead to confusion.
NEED A DOG-WALKER? FANCY BEN FOGLE FOR THE JOB?!
A dog walk by TV Presenter Ben Fogle is just one of the items on offer at the Protect Animals Greece auction on 10th May. Or a personalised and recorded poem from Sir Tom Courtenay; or a watercolour by Sir Quentin Blake; or a walk on part in Doc Martin with a helping hand from Martin Clunes. Great stuff that, as someone should have said sometime, normal money just can't buy - but auction money can.
PERSONAL TRAINING – THE WAY AHEAD
Having dogs trained is great - but its value is a hundred fold when us owners can share the lessons.
A WELSH VISITOR
Neli from deepest Wales came to stay for a speedy visit last Summer.
HOUSE OF MUTT @ LUCKNAM PARK. YES!
Following an extensive search and lots of assessing as to where is positively dog-welcoming as opposed to just dog-friendly, we’ve found the perfect hotel to fill in the blank of our ‘stately home sketch’ (Some Serious(ly Fun) Quality Time)
FESTIVAL FROLICS
The House of Mutt will be at the Red Rooster Festival in Suffolk, Euston Hall from 1st to 3rd June. We're 'doing' dog while Duke Harry and his Red Rooster crew 'do' the best line up of Rhythm and Blues this side of the deep South!
SPA SESSION, DOGGIE STYLE
Puppy training stage #432 - or whatever we're at now - the hydrotherapy bath :)
ED SAYS …
Training dogs is a great skill - but to be honest, some people just 'do' dogs so well that dogs behave around them, come what may. So the real real skill lies in being able to transfer some of that magic power to us, normal, feet-of-clay owners.
NOT EVERYDOG’S CUP OF TEA…
Seeing dogs day in and day out as we do here at the House of Mutt, you get to understand them pretty well. And sometimes that understanding leads to situations that are slightly uncomfortable to acknowledge.
HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY
A heartfelt plea from one of our owners a couple of weeks ago about Charlie, a lovely old Labrador belonging to a friend of theirs who'd tragically died.
TIP FROM A’BROAD …
A lesson I learnt as a youthful officer cadet when I lost my dog on the thousand-acre Royal Military Academy Sandhurst training area - and was beside myself with un-officer'ly panic.
SOME SERIOUS(LY FUN) QUALITY TIME
CAUGHT ON CAMERA ….
HOW MANY STEPS?
Exercise, like baking, used to be one of those activities that lots of us liked to think about but not all that many actually did.
SEAGULLS, SPEED AND SANDY PAWS
KODI, A PUPPY IN LEARNING …
Last seen on this page in October when just 3 months old, Kodi is now 5 months, growing fast and ready for the next stage of training. She's a beautiful dog and, like most of her breed, very biddable, wanting to learn and to please. But that attitude comes with big paws, much bounce and a hearty appetite, so her lessons this time were about self control, learning to take responsibility for her own actions and giving herself time to think before she acts.
