Yorkshire – The tails of Dylan

It seems like a lifetime (well in dog years it probably is!) but this time three weeks ago, I was galloping around Bramham Horse Trials trying my best to blend in with my four-legged friends of the horsey variety!!

It was a PAWFECT day for it, if not a little hot for a black lab like me! (pant…pant), but there were plenty of watering holes, including the dapper Dubarry stand. We only popped in to get some boot cream (not for me obviously!) and I couldn’t help but think that the Dubarry staff must have been the only people that felt hotter than me in their very beautiful tweed jackets!!

There were lots of stalls to visit, and luckily, not all of them were human or horse related! We were tail-wagged to find stands for us dogs too, including a pet shop with dog treats – WOOF, WOOF, WOOF – move aside a very waggy dog trying to get through…drool…drool…

After a little bit of shopping, we ventured onto the cross country course where I could hear lots of sharp-sounding whistles. It took me a little while to realise it wasn’t a command for me at all, but instructions for everyone to clear the track ready for the HUGE horses that were coming through!

Curious me decided to check out one of the jumps that the horses were needing to conquer – it was ENORMOUS compared to me and I’m a BIG Labrador (even if i do say so myself!) Absolutely no way could I even start to attempt this course!! BOW WOW WOW for the horses and riders from Dylan – they’re pretty PAWSOME and courageous!!

It was quite a long day at the trials so it is no surprise that I had to find a few shaded areas to cool me down throughout the event, especially when the midday heat was BARKING HOT…pant…chill…pant…chill

A little bit of shade required #hotdoggy

After scoffing lunch (both mine and other peoples of course!), we hunted around for shaded viewing points of the course. I had a WOOFTASTIC time moving around the jumps. From checking out the FETCHING local country style, to getting a pretty close up view of the riders and my four-legged friends – the ground tremored as the horses galloped past. It freaked me out a little the first time but as I got used to it I began to think I might like this adrenaline junky vibe!! Waggy Waggy – wait for me!!

A shaded view showing the horses coming out the water jump…a perfect spot for me!

Bramham Horse Trials is a highly recommended day out – I can’t wait till next year. The 6th & 7th of June are already pencilled in the doggy diary!

Selfie with mama and papa – eh…that’s my biscuit!

Dylan

Dog walks in Yorkshire, My life 'tails'

My top five watering holes

June 16, 2018 thetailsofdylan

You’ll know by now that my favourite pastime is swimming and that I’m OBSESSED with water – BOW WOW WOW! So, I thought I’d share my top five watering holes with my fellow furry friends.

1. Wetherby, North Yorkshire

This is the elite of the local outdoor pawools that I’ve wet my nose in. A popular dog walking spot, it has two pawsome points to swim in the River Wharfe – Wetherby Ings and Kings George’s Field. On one visit to the river I saw what looked like a seal …WOOF! WOOF! Grrrr… understandably I started barking I hadn’t see something like this before. It turned out to be a hooman in a wet suit – yep my thoughts too – BARKING!

2. Burnsall, North Yorkshire

Wharfedale is WOOFTASTIC – after all its home to the River Wharfe. We took an adventure along the river to the stepping stones near the suspension bridge at Hebden. On the trail there are several points to dip your paw in and usually a few canine friendlies to run around with.

I’ve also swam near the five-arched stone bridge in the heart of Burnsall enjoying hours of fun paddling after the ducks…my pawrents call it my ‘Fenton in Richmond Park moment’(worth a google if you haven’t seen this) but I don’t know what they are BARKING about – I was just having a gentle swim!!! (smiling dog teeth face) #fentonismyhero #naughtydoggy

3. Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

The River Nidd heading towards Nidd Gorge towards the end of Conyngham Hall long stay car park is the PAWFECT doggy paddle pool. SPLASH…PADDLE…DUNK…SHAKE…REPEAT. I never want to leave…throw me the ball again!

4. Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Hidden behind the Yorkshire Show Ground in Crimple Valley is the River Cimple or Crimple Beck and it’s PAWSOME for a doggy dip. Many canine friends agree as it’s a popular spot for a splash and a paddle.

5. Blanchland, Northumberland

I don’t get here often but it doesn’t mean that Blanchland shouldn’t make the top five places where I like to swim, paddle and play. Great adventures have been had here – there is nothing like a DOGGY dip in the Derwent.

Where do you go for your doggy dips? Are there places I need to visit? Share your favourite watering hole below.

Dylan

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

June 7, 2018 thetailsofdylan

This place is BARKING! It’s 8000 acres of wooftastic woods! Filled with lots of humans walking, cycling and playing with their canine family members – it’s just bow wow WOW! No wonder it’s called ‘The Great Yorkshire Forest’.

After a couple of hours car journey, our road trip took us into the fun filled forest – the home to Go Ape (where humans monkey around and hang from trees!). I told you this place is barking!

Oh what’s all this then? There are people hanging from trees out there!!!

The smell of BBQ’s and tasty treats from various picnics is tempting but I remained on my best behavior! Well at least I was when it came to food – but I did try to steal a ball from a possessive Staffy. This was not such a great idea! Luckily our pawrents got to us before I got to the ball! I think he may have played a bit RUFF for me being a big softy. Would serve me right for trying to steal his ball!!

Extreme – I’m not sure i’m qualified for this run!

We swiftly took one of the 12 trails – the Adderstone Rigg Walk. Wandering deep into the woods, even deeper once I saw a rabbit! Unfortunately, it outsmarted me. As I ran off the path down the hill into the woods the rabbit did a sneaky U-turn and ran across the path up into the opposite woods! After ten minutes of circling the scent I was beat (pant, pant, pant…)!

Luckily, I wasn’t near a cycle track whilst chasing the rabbit – those humans on bikes can cover ground quickly. I even saw one dog trailing the family. They looked like a pack of hounds chasing each other through the woods. It looked WOOFTASTIC! I’m thinking of becoming a mountain bike dog myself! Training with papa begins soon …

The only caution with this walk is there are lots of people on bikes but if you can avoid them and not fall under a wheel its PAWSOME! With the exception of the bikes I’d grade it a number 1 walk from my guide below.

Happy walking…..

(waggy waggy)

Dylan

My life 'tails'

A big woof-shout out to dog friendly employers

May 12, 2018May 12, 2018 thetailsofdylan

So I’m on the hunt for woof-tastic businesses that encourage dogs in the workplace! I’ve decided my mama needs to take me to work so we can hang out more!

Are you a dog friendly employer? Tell me more about you…

It seems that the number of dog friendly companies in the UK are on the increase but where are the ones on my doorstep? And for me, are there ones in Yorkshire? I’d like to sniff out these canine friendly businesses that have a ‘pets at work’ policy in place for a four-legged friend like me.

What is a ‘pets at work’ policy?

I’ve ‘googled’ the subject and found it’s more common than I thought! Wait for it…(a long paws for dramatic effect!)…there is even an official UK ‘take your dog to work day’ on the 22^ndJune. This annual nationwide event originally started in the UK in 1996, with one in five businesses now welcoming their loyal four-legged companions (like me), and with numbers on the increase – could the next one be yours?

Bring your dog to work day aims to raise funds for great doggy causes and you can read more about it here www.bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk – there is even a dog with a job hall of fame! #doglifegoals

The benefits of having us dogs at work…

Obviously, some of you clever humans already are aware of the benefits of having us loving creatures in the office and how we can be good for both the mind and the soul…

But don’t just take it from me. In March 2012 a US study published their findings on the effects that us dogs in the office had on employees of a retail business… I like a good retail business, particularly one that sells dog stuff for me (flick to visions of me dreaming of bones and beds and bouncy balls… sorry I got distracted …back to it!) So, guess what they found? They identified that us dogs have calming effects, reduce blood pressure, lower stress and make employees more cordial and productive. Doesn’t sound so barking to me!

And here are the reasons why…

It turns out that us pets:

Trigger interactions between you humans that may not have happened without us. We’re great conversation starters (although, I prefer it when you talk to me than just about me!). Either way, talking is good! And I like to talk…or bark..or whine (but not at work where I’m strictly the professional!)

Are a pro-active method of staying healthy and avoiding health issues – so go on, throw the dog a bone!

And playing with us:

Can increase levels of stress-reducing hormones.

Reminds you to ‘paws’ and take breaks whilst working long hours.

In short, having us dogs at work can help encourage a healthy work-life balance – we improve your job satisfaction, boost moral and employee performance – no more RUFF days!

I’ve been ‘working like a dog’ – coffee break time!

Naturally, there are benefits for us dogs too, as a friendly work environment provides us with social interactions which we LOVE!

In summary, taking us to work is good for you, good for us and good for your employer. YAY! Everyone’s a WINNER! So, there you have it – people and pets are better together. Companies that accept us four-legged friends aren’t so barking!

Now who is up for having a cute, very friendly and hard-working black lab like me in the office? Employers and employees out there, get typing in the comments section below and tell me all about your PAWSOME dog friendly businesses…

Dylan

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Kirkby Overblow to Sicklinghall, North Yorkshire

April 29, 2018April 29, 2018 thetailsofdylan

I’m in dog roaming heaven, weaving my way through a magical bridleway, lined by stone dike walls and big rustling trees. We pass an old Yorkshire farmhouse where the path is followed by a parallel stream – I just LOVE a bit of water.

We carry on through a gate into a large plain where I get a sniff of a rabbit, and a whiff of pheasant – its all too STIMULATING for my senses – no dried kibble in sight! I begin to run, tracking my prey, following a scent trailing though the long grass, then SUDDENLY a pheasant takes off in front of me…I LEAP to catch it but my butt is too heavy to fly!!! I go in for the chase but its over before it began, the pheasants taken OFF and it’s out of here!

As I emerge from the grass I see some sheep and they have lambs too – I’m excited!! But I know the drill, lambing season means I’m back on the lead. Attempting my best behavior as I don’t want to scare anyone. I’m a friendly sort. A little bit too friendly for sheep so my pawrents say – I intimidate them with my extremely waggy tail and my passion to bounce a bit like Tigger from Winne the Pooh, and Tigger ‘likes to bounce’. They can’t understand I just want to play.

Dog walks — hello horses – are those fly masks keeping the flies at bay?

Past some woods we meet some friendly horses in a field before turning down a track leading onto the main road into Sicklinghall. At the end of the walk there is a charming 17th century watering hole, The Scotts Arms. And yes, dogs can drink here too. I asked my pawrents for a pint but apparently I’m underage!! Off to the dog watering bowl I go.

After catching a few rays in the beer garden and topping up the vitamin D we take the same route back to Kirkby Overblow. With an array of Yorkshire stone-built houses, a village green and a parish church – these picture postcard villages are delight, to wonder through.

Much to my overwhelming delight, there are several small streams on the route and many of them allow for us dogs to get really really muddy!!! I’d recommend saving the mud bath for the way home!

Happy walking!

Dylan

Doggy friendly places to eat & drink

Filmore & Union, Wetherby, Yorkshire

March 30, 2018April 26, 2018 thetailsofdylan

Our Good Friday included a visit to Filmore & Union in the sweet little market town of Wetherby. With branches throughout Yorkshire and beyond – Filmore & Union claim to be the home of the totally dog friendly restaurant. Clearly advertised on their website ‘as a family business we know how dogs are an addition member which is why we allow dogs in all of our stores; they can enjoy the Filmore experience too.’ I’m pleased to report that they don’t disappoint. We were greeted by the very hospitable and courteous Marcus who remembered us from our visit to the Harrogate branch last week, and we were shown to an area with a little extra room for me. Well, in terms of size, I’m no ‘shrinking violet’ at nearly 31kg!

Homegrown in Yorkshire and inspired by the San Francisco food scene; Filmore was established back in 2012 to provide an eatery specialising in healthy dishes made from fresh and wholesome produce; sourced from local suppliers, farmers and butchers. I overheard the humans saying; ‘with a reputation of serving food that is ‘nourishing and sumptuous’ benefiting ones’ wellbeing – it makes you wonder should healthy food really taste this good’?

Part of Filmores unique selling point is they’re committed to catering for different dietary intolerances including gluten, dairy, refined sugar and flour free options. Unfortunately for me this didn’t include a doggy diet – no cheeky treats available for me. Well, none that I managed to sniff out with my gun dog nose.

Flying the flag for the dog friendly restaurant they even feature ‘Top Dog’ of the week within their social campaigns and Filmore Friday emails, sharing stories of those lovely pooches that have visited with their Filmore friends.

Any chance someone could fill my doggy bag?

Keep up the good work Filmore foodie chefs and your enthusiastically welcoming doggy friendly staff – we salute you!

‘Top Dog’ restaurant of the week goes to Filmore.

Perhaps we may visit some more branches on our travels, any recommendations?

Dylan

Doggy friendly places to eat & drink

‘The Kitchen’, Harrogate

February 16, 2018April 26, 2018 thetailsofdylan

Last Saturday I discovered a new gem of a place to visit in Harrogate. We’d driven passed this unassuming pretty looking café on a few occasions, but never had a reason to visit. It wasn’t on one of our normal walking routes. Well how wrong we were not to have stopped at this watering hole sooner, and how we’ve been missing out.

Dog friendly cafes
So we were invited for a Saturday morning coffee, which turned out to be morning coffee and lunch. Hanging out with hoomans is a hobby of mine – one which I thoroughly enjoy. Sometimes I prefer their company to dogs! I’m also becoming accustomed to hanging out in dog friendly cafés. You know the ones that welcome you with a smile and a ‘hello doggy’.

Doggy Bar at The Kitchen, Otley Road, Harrogate

Doggy treats on a plate
A lot of places have upped their game by putting out a dog bowl and ensuring it has fresh clean water throughout the day. Well the Kitchen has set a new level. I got served my own plate of dog treats ‘here you go sir, I hope you’re allowed these’. Sold – The Kitchen is my new favourite haunt. You just can’t beat that kind of 5 star service. Oh but you can – despite taking up a lot more room than a little doggy, the staff and other guests were just so nice to be and many came over to say hello. Including a little girl who had the most beautiful curly hair and a stuffed cat called Jess. Other doggies came and went, so it seems to be a well-known place for dogs in the know.

Gravy bones at The Kitchen, Otley Road, Harrogate

Child friendly lunch stop
It’s baby friendly too. My bestie Harry was throwing me some scraps of his lunch, not his gently warmed beans though – that would have been messy!

It appears the coffee and lunch dishes were delicious but I can’t vouch for that – there were no leftovers to try and steal. The bacon did smell delicious. I hear that we’re going back soon to try the homemade cakes and boy did they look paw licking good.

Mozzarella, pesto & tomato toasted sandwich

Family run café with quality produce
It’s a wonderfully cute, bright and airy family run business with top quality food. Check out their insta account https://www.instagram.com/thekitchenht for some mouth-watering images of their creations from their small but perfectly formed menu, with interesting on trend dishes to compliment all-day staples such as the bacon sandwich.

Dog walks at Harlow Carr Woods, Harrogate

Local walks
Its located on Otley Road between Harlow Carr and Valley Gardens, so plenty of places to work off those gravy bones. We took a stroll to Valley Gardens and then through the woods towards Harlow Carr. Its dog walking heaven there, I get to run around and explore off the lead.

Found myself a new pad at Harlow Carr Woods, Harrogate.

Dylan

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Harewood Estate, Harewood, North Yorkshire

January 7, 2018March 13, 2018 thetailsofdylan

Take a walk along Church Lane at Harewood and you’ll find yourself wondering into the grounds of Harewood House, one of Yorkshire’s finest stately homes. Built in the 18^th century it’s meant to house an art collection that rivals the finest in Britain. Well, this is what I overheard my pawrents discussing and when they’d next visit. We didn’t venture into the house but we did walk around some of estates 700 acres. It includes 100 acres of gardens. Can you believe it? If only my own garden was a fraction of that size. Check out more on their website www.harewood.org

Harewood

On our walk around the estate we passed a herd of deer, such beautiful creatures. I was outnumbered significantly so I politely watched them play from afar rather than joining in on a game of tig (aka tag).

We ventured on down the hill through the woods passing lots of other furry and non-furry friends and their siblings. It was very interesting to see other families out and about. Some young ones were learning to ride their bikes.

A word of warning there are some grids. Apparently these are to stop cattle roaming out of the grounds. Be warned that these are not easy to jump. My advise is to listen to your pawrents who recommend to follow them through the gates at the side of the cattle grids that way you don’t get hurt or stuck right in the middle. Although it mostly bruises your pride!

Harewood 2

A very scenic walk but it’s not exactly roaming heaven. It’s more of an on the lead walk – see my dog walking guide below. There was a small amount of private traffic on the ground, and lots of families as well as other dogs both on and off leads. Most did not venture far from their masters side. I haven’t learnt that skill just yet!

Screen Shot 2018-01-07 at 17.22.19

Dylan

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Ripley Castle, Ripley, North Yorkshire

January 4, 2018April 19, 2018 thetailsofdylan

Ripley is a wonderful historic little village on the outskirts of Harrogate, home to the picturesque Ripley Castle – a 14^th century country house. The village of Ripley boasts a famous ice cream store, as well Chantry House Gallery with a reputation for being one of the most interesting and affordable art galleries in North Yorkshire. Unfortunately I didn’t get to visit either, or take a guided tour of the castle but I did visit it’s website to see what I might be missing www.ripleycastle.co.uk

Instead I wondered down Hollybank Lane into the grounds behind the castle. A pathway that leads onto a number of walks taking you to Bedlam, Clint Bank, Hampswaite & Burt Yates.

On route I was very tempted to take a plunge in the Castle pool but it turns out it’s a feature waterfall and not a swimming area for dogs!

It’s a thoroughly enjoyable walk; quite busy at times on the main pathway, other dogs taking out their pawrents and hooman siblings.

It’s well worth a visit. I’d class this as a popular dog walking area – see my dog walking guide below.

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve been on this walk and hear which path you took?

Dylan

Tag: Yorkshire

Bramham Horse Trials 2018, Bramham, Yorkshire

My top five watering holes

Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

A big woof-shout out to dog friendly employers

Kirkby Overblow to Sicklinghall, North Yorkshire

Filmore & Union, Wetherby, Yorkshire

‘The Kitchen’, Harrogate

Harewood Estate, Harewood, North Yorkshire

Ripley Castle, Ripley, North Yorkshire