Life, Lessons & Loyalty – A Three-Part Reflection

The past two weeks have reminded us just how much we love what we do, and why. Amid the chaos of life and the heartbreak of recent events, our time out in the fields with your dogs has been grounding.

From energetic pack hikes to peaceful one-to-one walks, we’ve seen the full spectrum of personality – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’ve had:

🐾 Millie bounding across the stubble fields with her trademark grin

🐾 Kobi taking up his gentle guardian role with the younger dogs

🐾 Timber absolutely smashing his engagement game, even with distractions nearby

🐾 Fleur navigating new walks with more confidence each time

🐾 Luna showing off her impulse control around cyclists and squirrels alike!

Some sessions were about social balance – observing body language, reading the group, and giving dogs space to make good decisions. Others were focused on skill-building: calm leash walking, recall in the real world, and building trust through games and routines.

These dogs aren’t just our day jobs – they’re our focus, our joy, and our constant reminder of the work that matters.

A Moment of Caution – Chocolate & Dangerous Foods

Following our recent posts on Facebook and Instagram for World Chocolate Day, we wanted to expand on an important topic: keeping your pets safe from foods that can be toxic.

Chocolate is one of the most well-known hazards for dogs. It contains both theobromine and caffeine—substances that a dog’s body cannot effectively process. Even a small amount can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, restlessness, rapid breathing, and in more serious cases, seizures or heart issues.

But chocolate isn’t the only concern. Everyday items like grapes, raisins, onions, and xylitol (commonly found in sugar-free gum and peanut butter) can also be extremely harmful. These ingredients can lead to kidney failure, low blood sugar, or damage to red blood cells—depending on the food and the quantity ingested.

We know how quickly accidents can happen, which is why we stay vigilant on all our walks, live-ins, and day care visits. If your dog ever shows signs like excessive thirst, vomiting, tremors, or a racing heartbeat, don’t wait—call your vet straight away.

At Gemma & Jodi’s Pet Services, we take food safety seriously. It’s part of how we care for your dogs as if they were our own—because when you’re not there, we are.

Holding Space – For Scout and Every Dog in Our Care

We’re writing this part with heavy hearts. Many of you will have seen the posts about Scout, the much-loved spaniel who went missing from her home in Crimscote on Friday 27th June.

Scout is blind. She’s vulnerable. And she’s part of our extended family.

What’s followed over the past week has been nothing short of overwhelming – not just the fear and sadness, but also the incredible response from you: the community. Her family wrote:

“We’ve been truly overwhelmed by your support — every share, sighting, and kind word means the world. As a thank you, we’ll be making a charity donation in honour of the amazing help we’ve received, especially from Gemma & Jodi’s Pet Services and LostDogs.”

They believe Scout may still be trying to find her way home using her nose. They’re leaving scent trails, holding onto hope, and asking for continued help in all the small ways that might lead to her safe return.

As a team, we want you to know: if this were your dog, we would do the same. The response you’ve seen from our walkers, our network, and the local community is who we are at our core. Every dog in our care is treated as if they are our own – and this past week has only deepened that truth.

To our team: you’ve been incredible. Quietly committed, constantly searching, and emotionally present despite your own grief.

We’ll end this series not with answers, but with compassion. Because this work is about more than pet care. It’s about heart. With love and care,

Gemma, Jodi & the Team 🐾