Some people may know or may have read the reasons I created Love Ur Dog, the main reason was my love for dogs and also for my boys, Dexter And Colin, Colin sadley passed away just before we opended the hotel due to heart failure at a young age (something i am still getting over)- Dexter (my best friend) who has been with me for eight amazing years, and been through so much together passed away at 5pm yesterday. Dexter became poorly in March and was found to have cancer tumors in various areas of his body, due to the pandemic and dexters issues no hospitals could or were willing to take the case on, however thankfully Noel Fitzpatric did and after 8hrs of intensive surgery managed to remove all the tumours - however some of the cancer had spread into his lungs and were very aggresive and would not respond to medicines, Thanks to Noel's team Dexter lasted a happy 6 months, but sadley the cancer caused Dexter to pass away yesterday........................ I am not sure it has fully sunken in yet, but it literally feels like my world has just fell apart around me, I am lost without you by myside, heartbroken, I will never forget you my beautiful boy. Scott x
So as we come to the end of our second year, we can wipe our brows, sigh a releif and high five that we have made it, covid-19 hurt and there will be a long road to recovery, as the pandamic hit we lost over 800 bookings and went from fully booked to a few staff keeping bently and benji entertained in the hotel - what to do was the question ?, do we shut and wait until it is over like everyone else ?????, no thats just not us or what we are about, so we decided the opposite, while everyone else was closing their doors we offered free daycare to all NHS staff, overnight we were full again, ok we had no income but we were kept very busy, met lots of new clients and lots of new doggies which was wonderful and it was a pleasure to give back to the NHS, we also started a drop off point for paws in need and the local food back giving dog and cat food to those who were struggling.
Always moving forward we have just completed a twenty thousend pound extension to our outdoor play areas increasing the exercise area by 25% which has helped greatly for the growing daycare bookings, we are due to start a £80k new extension at the end of the year which at the moment is a bit top secret, all I can say is what we are planning is amazing, no one else has got this or done this - this will be another game changer for the love ur dog brand and a fantastic treat for all our doggies.
And now for the sad news, I had not completed a blog for some time, and it is due to this news that today I create this new blog, and I dedicate this blog to Henry, the picture was taken on the 18th August 2018, our very first day open and our very first guest "Henry" - as you can appreciate Henry has always been a special guest to me and all our staff, he has been a key reminder everytime I see him of opening the hotel and our fist night together, I always remember Henry had a garden view suite for the night but because there was only me and him at the hotel for the first night he shared the staff bedroom with me, we sat up and watched tv before drifting off to sleep together in a king size bed.
Henry has remained a regular hotel guest over the last two years, even as recently as a few weeks ago. Whenever I see his name on the weekly booking reviews I awlays put a note in my diary and clear space to go to the hotel and spend time with him, as soon as I see him the fuss we make of each other is amazing, he truley loved seeing me and I loved seeing him to........................ and that is were it comes to an end, sitting here trying to finish this blog with tears rolling down my cheeks, eyes full and red raw, this afternoon I was informed Henry passed away at home with his family due to heart issues, I am truley broken, we have announced Henry's passing on our staff group chat which has left all our staff in tears. I have said this many times, as much as I love the hotel, its this part which breaks my heart.
Several guests have passed away over the last few years and I can honestly say I can remember tham all by name and due to this I want to do something to honour them all, we will be creating a remeberance wall to remember all those guests who have fallen for their service for the last time, yes i make it sound abit like they were in the army serving their country, well to me all dogs are, there jobs are to be loyal, to be fun, to love you, and honor you, and for that I would like them to be remebered by us all. Rest in peace my dear loving friend Henry, I will never forget you xxx
Always moving forward we have just completed a twenty thousend pound extension to our outdoor play areas increasing the exercise area by 25% which has helped greatly for the growing daycare bookings, we are due to start a £80k new extension at the end of the year which at the moment is a bit top secret, all I can say is what we are planning is amazing, no one else has got this or done this - this will be another game changer for the love ur dog brand and a fantastic treat for all our doggies.
And now for the sad news, I had not completed a blog for some time, and it is due to this news that today I create this new blog, and I dedicate this blog to Henry, the picture was taken on the 18th August 2018, our very first day open and our very first guest "Henry" - as you can appreciate Henry has always been a special guest to me and all our staff, he has been a key reminder everytime I see him of opening the hotel and our fist night together, I always remember Henry had a garden view suite for the night but because there was only me and him at the hotel for the first night he shared the staff bedroom with me, we sat up and watched tv before drifting off to sleep together in a king size bed.
Henry has remained a regular hotel guest over the last two years, even as recently as a few weeks ago. Whenever I see his name on the weekly booking reviews I awlays put a note in my diary and clear space to go to the hotel and spend time with him, as soon as I see him the fuss we make of each other is amazing, he truley loved seeing me and I loved seeing him to........................ and that is were it comes to an end, sitting here trying to finish this blog with tears rolling down my cheeks, eyes full and red raw, this afternoon I was informed Henry passed away at home with his family due to heart issues, I am truley broken, we have announced Henry's passing on our staff group chat which has left all our staff in tears. I have said this many times, as much as I love the hotel, its this part which breaks my heart.
Several guests have passed away over the last few years and I can honestly say I can remember tham all by name and due to this I want to do something to honour them all, we will be creating a remeberance wall to remember all those guests who have fallen for their service for the last time, yes i make it sound abit like they were in the army serving their country, well to me all dogs are, there jobs are to be loyal, to be fun, to love you, and honor you, and for that I would like them to be remebered by us all. Rest in peace my dear loving friend Henry, I will never forget you xxx
So how are we getting on, well its been truly amazing, thousands of people have walked through the doors over the last 6 months with some of the most amazing doggies of all breeds and all ages and everyone is stunned when they see the quality and the care we give.
We have had our challengers, from taking care of poorly post opp customers who have needed round the clock one on one care, to cooking Christmas Dinner for 50 Doggies and a New Years Party severing pawseco and doggie beer till the early hours of the morning.
We have hired and trained eight new staff who are fantastic team members bringing our total staff up to eighteen, we were lucky enough to have been chosen by pot noddle to film their latest online campaign at the hotel (lots of fun) and the short film has now received over 1 million views !!!
Summer is going to be very busy - were almost fully booked and Christmas is also booking up fast, its going to be a busy year.
What Next ? Well we are currently considering building an extension to the hotel, the extension will be for a 50msq indoor heated swimming pool with raising floor for swimming lessons and play time for all our guests.
I keep getting asked are their any down sides to the job ? - the place is amazing surely there can not be ? - Well there are, stupid as it may sound but you get attached to the guests, especially those who are with us for several weeks, and when they go home, well its nice for them to see their parents but we all miss them when they go, I miss them so much i have had to go and visit a few guests at their homes and take them treats and say hi ! until next time Scott Williams CEO Love Ur Dog x
We have had our challengers, from taking care of poorly post opp customers who have needed round the clock one on one care, to cooking Christmas Dinner for 50 Doggies and a New Years Party severing pawseco and doggie beer till the early hours of the morning.
We have hired and trained eight new staff who are fantastic team members bringing our total staff up to eighteen, we were lucky enough to have been chosen by pot noddle to film their latest online campaign at the hotel (lots of fun) and the short film has now received over 1 million views !!!
Summer is going to be very busy - were almost fully booked and Christmas is also booking up fast, its going to be a busy year.
What Next ? Well we are currently considering building an extension to the hotel, the extension will be for a 50msq indoor heated swimming pool with raising floor for swimming lessons and play time for all our guests.
I keep getting asked are their any down sides to the job ? - the place is amazing surely there can not be ? - Well there are, stupid as it may sound but you get attached to the guests, especially those who are with us for several weeks, and when they go home, well its nice for them to see their parents but we all miss them when they go, I miss them so much i have had to go and visit a few guests at their homes and take them treats and say hi ! until next time Scott Williams CEO Love Ur Dog x
Starting to see changes at the new premises , the work force have arrived tearing down walls and clearing the grounds ready for the designers and there team to arrive next week to start the re-development ready for the grand opening in a few week.