The lead up to Christmas  is well-underway, the festive films are on TV and the markets are in full swing. See how you can donate a dinner to a dog in need, order an amazing dinner for your pup and toxic foods to watch out for this festive season.

 

As we all look forward to our festive breaks , it is also the time of year when you realise that we have so much to be grateful for, there are so many pups out there that will go without. Different Dog are partnering with Hungary Hearts this December, a charity rescuing dogs from killing stations and the streets of Hungary and finding them loving homes here in the UK. Different Dog are all about changing dogs’ lives with real food by delivering hand-cooked fresh dog food to your door. For every sign-up in December, they’ll be donating a meal to a dog in need, like Beatrix here – rescued by Hungary Hearts this year and ready for adoption.

 

 BEATRIX

 

This gorgeous pup has had a tough start to life on the streets of Hungary, yet still has all the love to give! Beatrix loves a belly rub and can’t get to the front door quick enough when she knows it’s time for walkies. She’s now safely here in the UK after riding over on the ‘Happy Bus’ and hoping for a new home very soon. Meet other dogs like Beatrix and find out more about Different Dog and Hungary Hearts here 

 

ORDER YOUR DOGS CHRISTMAS DINNER NOW! 

TOXIC FOODS TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS HOLIDAY 

There’s lots of tasty treats around at this time of year, but not all of them are good for our furry friends. Different Dog’s in-house Vet Alison shares her watch-outs for toxic foods to avoid giving to your dog this holiday season:

 

 

• Grapes and dried vine fruits, commonly found in traditional mince pies and Christmas pudding. The toxic dose varies greatly between dogs, so there is no safe amount.

• Chocolate, especially dark chocolate which has higher levels of theobromine. Chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, increased thirst, restlessness, seizures, and irregular heartbeat.

• Sweet treats containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol causes a surge in insulin release that can lead to potentially fatal low blood sugar levels.

• Blue cheese contains roquefortine C and if eaten in significant amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset, tremors, and seizures.

• Macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, lethargy, weakness, and fever.

• Alcohol or food containing alcohol.

• Leftovers and fatty, salty or sugary ‘human treats’ can cause upset tummies and could trigger a bout of pancreatitis.

• Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter into sharp spurs that can cause damage in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestine.

 

• Be sure to seek immediate advice from your vet if your dog ingests a toxic food. Prompt action will improve the prognosis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE SAT DOWN WITH DIFFERENT DOG FOUNDER ALEX TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER DIFFERENT DOG JOURNEY AND MISSION FOR THE BRAND.

 

 

LDW: We have always wondered what was the inspiration for the name Different Dog?  

DD: Ever since we saw how processed pet food was made we realised the industry had lost sight of what was best for our animals and we wanted to change this and do things differently. And as soon as we started doing everything differently and cooking fresh natural ingredients for Crumble (our dog) we noticed what a healthier and happier pup she became – a really different dog and so the name was born.

From day one we’ve had the sign “The Dog Food Industry is broken, do everything differently” hanging up over the kitchen door and today we get countless customers saying how our food has transformed their dogs, giving them shinier coats, brighter eyes, better poop and overall happier, healthier lives. From day one our sole mission has been to change dogs’ lives with real food.

 

LDW: We love that you had a sign hanging over the kitchen door to remind you of your mission, we know DD started on your kitchen counter, how have things changed since?

DD: Yes – we started in the kitchen at home. At that time I was researching and compiling a (human) cookbook so, with the help of our pet nutritionist and vet, it was an easy transition as the processes are very similar. They were pretty crazy days – loads of research and reading, experimenting with ingredients and processes whilst working and looking after Crumble and our 3 young boys.  We were (and still are) obsessed with getting everything right and drove to the lab in Stafford to take samples in for nutritional testing every week.  It took us a year and a half and 150 versions of our core recipe to perfect things. It was a huge labour of love, and our friends began to think we were mad. But that investment of time and effort was worth it – the benefit is clear every time a customer tells us we’ve changed their dog’s life. We now feed thousands of dogs, and we have forty people working with us to help as many dogs as possible across the country.

 

LDW: We can relate to your story and know how challenging it is to bring ‘mad’ ideas to reality! We are so happy you stick with it. Right now being a sustainable business is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, how do you ensure you never compromise on your mission whilst being very conscious of your carbon footprint? 

DD: We have made decisions, for example banning plastic in our packaging 3 years ago, that has cost us more but meant a lot to who we are – we want healthy futures for our dogs and that involves looking after the planet we all live on. We have just achieved Carbon Neutral status, something we’re proud of, and we’re mid-way through the process of becoming a B Corp. 

 

We use compostable packaging and have a free returns programme for boxes and insulation. Sustainable sourcing of our high-quality ingredients has always been a priority for us. We only use British meat and fish, and we work with a lovely local butcher based here in Shrewsbury.  Our fruit, veg and superfoods are sourced locally wherever possible.  This works not only to improve the nutrition of the food – the better quality the ingredient, the more bioavailable it is for the dog – but also lowers our carbon footprint and helps boost the wonderful small businesses local to us in Shropshire.  

 

We are constantly looking for ways to improve from a sustainability perspective, this has always been a big area of focus for us and we have exciting plans for the next 12 months in this area – so watch this space.

 

LDW: Great to hear that you committed to being sustainable and that you were already taking these steps years ago. Out of interest, what were the first recipes you introduced and how has the product range developed since?  

 DD: The first recipe we cooked was a version of our Chicken Casserole, which is still one of the best selling recipes in our range. We actually have a pack from that very first batch in our freezer at home. It’s amazing to look at the hand scrawled label with batch #1 on it.  Today we’re cooking batch #1676! 

 

We’ve always been passionate about biodiversity in the diet to naturally promote gut health. That’s why we now have at least 12 different recipes, as well as a treat range, probiotics and our nutrition boosting bone broth, which is really popular.  

 

We regularly introduce seasonal recipes – right now Venison & Thyme is doing well and our Festive Feast is flying out of the kitchen as we head towards Christmas.

 

LDW: Yes, at this time of year we can imagine how popular your festive feasts are! You must have come across so many dog owners looking for help with their dog’s health issues over the years, what health concerns seem to be most common? 

DD: Absolutely loads. This is why we exist. Sadly, dogs in this country are not healthy, and the increase in obesity, diabetes, skin and coat issues over the last 20 years is frightening. One of the causes of that is an over-reliance on heavily processed food. Some of the things we see all the time are skin and coat issues, digestive problems, arthritis and joint conditions, weight challenges, pancreatitis, allergies and dietary issues, lack of energy and listlessness. There are lots more. To help with certain conditions that a lot of customers ask for support with, we have developed an extra support Health+ range. To be clear – we are not a prescription diet however this range proactively supports as many dogs as possible through a natural diet and is unique in the pet food market.

You are what you eat – this goes for dogs as well as for people. If you start with a healthy diet of gently cooked whole foods, you will see clear results in terms of overall health and happiness.

 

LDW:  Alex, thank you so much for telling us more about your journey so far, plans for the future and your mission. We do love all the work you are doing to ensure dogs are thriving and are in great shape and that you are doing your bit also for the planet.

 

Create your plan here and use the code LDW50 to get your half-price box of nutritious deliciousness. This December Different Dog is supporting the Hungary Hearts charity and will be giving rescue dogs a helping paw by donating a meal for every sign-up to Different Dog.

 

SEE YOUR DOG THRIVE AND GET 50% OFF DIFFERENT DOG SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW

 

CO-FOUNDER OF LONDON DOG WEEK ANEKA JOHNSON TALKS TREATS, WELLBEING + HER FRENCHIE CHUBBS WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY.

London Dog Week, the Wellness Edition, has come and gone but the memories live on. Meeting new and reuniting with pup’s and paw’rents has been amazing. Planning an event in a pandemic was no walk in the park but against all odds, we managed to make it happen, as two years without London Dog Week would not have been paw-some! From Paw-lates to the Paw Parlour, the positivity was amazing.

 

IN TREATS WE TRUST

London Dog Week is not complete without treats! But not any old treats, only the good stuff for you puppers! All week we gave the dogs of London treats from Different Dog, which are natural dried meat treats that contain no nasties and they were a hit with you doggos during the week, not only did your dogs eat over 500 packs, they went tail over paws for them!

 

The treats come in two flavours, chicken and liver and have oregano sprinkled over them. Oregano does not only taste and smell yummy but is high in antioxidants providing immune system support for dogs. When treats taste great and support the health of your dog then it is a double thumbs-up.

My Frenchie Chubbs usually favours broccoli or sweet potato over packet-based treats but he went bonkers for Different Dog treats, he loves them so much that i actually have to hide the pack from him. 

 

Different Dog is a treat triumph and  a good example that keeping it simple, natural and well-intentioned will win with the woof woofs. Like anything, treats should be eaten in moderation and too many treats on top of your dog’s food will be sure to give them a little more jelly on their belly and obesity amongst dogs is growing at a rapid rate, so we want to strike a balance and this is something I know all about with Chubbs.

 

KEEPING CHUBBS TRIM

Chubbs was very overweight and within 12 months I was able to take him from 24KG to 16KG and this was a hard journey as I was experimenting a lot and wish I had a good quality low-calorie food already tailored for overweight dogs that was not kibble, recently I discovered that Different Dog does just this with their new Health + range. Hurray!

 

Time is not something I have a lot of and preparing chubbs meals every day feels like a daily culinary challenge and now the Different Dog Health + range is available I will be checking this out, not only to save time in food preparation but also to sustain Chubbs new leaner frame. As I have noticed now he has lost weight I am prone to giving him a little extra food, I need to be careful!

 

Different Dog Health + range has a waistline reducing recipe called Keep – Me -Trim Turkey, which is made to be low in calories but high in yumminess, which is a perfect combination!

 

Sustaining Chubbs waistline has become my new obsession as since he is trimmer he’s happier and healthier, so we are excited to start our Different Dog Journey, to help keep his waist snatched and his tail wagging, we will keep you posted on his journey.

 

Admittingly, I was in denial for a long time that Chubbs was obese, I would say things like he is ‘ big boned’ and he’s just bigger than the average Frenchie! Wrong he was overweight and I had to face facts and take action. Here are some of the hard realities that kicked me into action to do the best for Chubbs health.

 

OBESITY FACTS 

• Obesity is the most common preventable disease in dogs.

• Approximately 25-30% of the general canine population is obese, with 40-45% of dogs aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than normal.

• Obesity shortens a dog’s life and makes them more likely to develop disease.

• Excess fat negatively impacts a dog’s health and longevity.

• Obese dogs develop an increased risk for:many types of health problems including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

DISCOVER DIFFERENT DOG 

If you are seeking food to elevate your dog’s wellbeing then check out the Different Dogs Health + range. There are different recipes available to help dogs with a variety of health challenges from low calorie to joint supporting recipes, Different Dog have well thought through recipes, go take a look and see how they can support your dog’s health.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DIFFERENT DOGS HEALTH + RANGE 

 

THE CUDDLE CLUB HEROES SHOW THEIR LOVE FOR DIFFERENT DOG TREATS!

Ivy the tiny toy poodle, myself (Lois) and Ivy’s little micro poodle friend, Tiny decided to have a girl’s brunch. We grabbed the overground from our house in Hertfordshire which takes us 20 minutes straight into Kings Cross station. We all wagged our bums out of the train door’s, on to the platform and out of the station excitedly. The Standard hotel is easy to find, once out of Kings Cross station you can see it across the street. We crossed via the zebra crossing and the entrance is on the side on Argyle Street. I was looking forward to seeing the hotel as my husband Tom worked on building this hotel for a year and half, so wanted to see his hard work.

The Atmosphere.

The Standard has a wonderful feel when you enter. It feels like you are entering a swanky 70’s retro-feel hotel. Each piece of furniture is unusual and unique and there’s lots of plants everywhere. I actually did feel I was going back in time. The furniture and decor create a relaxed feel.  You would be at home in trainers with a nice hoodie as a cute cocktail dress.

The Staff.

The staff are super friendly. They all wanted to meet the dogs and everyone didn’t stop smiling. The front of house posed for a picture cuddling Tiny and looked super happy with himself. Our waiter was an Italian guy with a massive smile who was very happy to be back to work after this lockdown period. He chatted away, fussed over the dogs and generally was happy to assist with any specific food requirements I had and told me about the specials of the day and his recommendations. He also made sure to bring a bowl of water over for the dogs.

The Double Standard Restaurant.

We ate on the ground floor of the hotel in the Double Standard Restaurant, i opted to eat in the outside area as there was a peak of rare sun that I wanted to enjoy and also there was a really appealing outside fire to keep me warm at the same time. (I mean where is SUMMER right now.)  I felt relaxed and I popped the dogs on the outside sofas to have a little snooze.

The Inside Bar.

The Bar is really quite a feature. I felt like I had stepped back into the 1920’s in New York and it really made me want to order a “margarita on the rocks” It felt like it could feature in an old Hollywood movie. I would love to go back and take some friends for cocktails and sink into those leather bar stools.

 

The Library Lounge. 

This is a really cool feature on the ground floor of the hotel lobby. You can chill out, grab one of the many books and just immerse yourself in the true retro feel of this hotel. I felt like this made this hotel more unique actually and thoroughly enjoyed this feature as a self-confessed book worm.

The Rooftop Bar.

I didn’t get to check out the roof terrace but I would have LOVED too. I’ve heard from my husband; it’s got amazing views of the London Skyline so I will be popping back at some point for a drink here, on a sunny day. Dogs are welcome on the rooftop bar also.

The Toilets. 

I always think toilets are worth a mention. I’m kinda fussy when it comes to toilets. I can hereby report, the toilets were clean and tidy, and I LOVED the pink theme so that’s why I’ve mentioned them!

The Food.

I ordered the spicy southern fried chicken, cauliflower bites for nibbles and a superfood salad. Okay I think the salad was a tad bit healthy for me(but if you are on a health kick perfect for you!) and would have loved to bung some dressing on it! I thoroughly enjoyed my chicken bites and would order them again. There’re not loads of options on the menu and I would say this is more of a place to bring colleagues and or friends for lunch for a nice drink and nibbles, but not for a sit down three course  meal.  The menu has a causal millennial feel which added to the relaxed setting.

Dog Friendliness.

I loved the vibe from all the staff, the host’s, the managers, and the receptionists!  They all made a real fuss of the dogs. There was no problem with the dogs sitting with us . The dogs had a great time and loved the attention. I always note how the dogs are treated at every venue i visit as really that’s what is truly important to me. For extra brownie points it would be great to have dog treats on site. But that’s me being a tad of a fussy dog mamma there!I recommend you go check it out guys. The poodle girls give it the paw of approval!

Find out more about the standard and book a table HERE

Tel +44 (0) 203 981 8888

Find them at  10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG 

 

Ivy and Tiny exploring the Standard Hotel 

Chubbs and I caught the Northern line over to Old Street and jumped on the 55 bus over to Mama Shelter London in Bethnal Green.

I was happy to be back in my old neighborhood and excited to be back in the east end for a night. Walking up to Mama Shelter, the building lined with lots of plants and contrasting brick walls, it was clear that I was going to get the hipster vibes I had missed since moving to North West London! 

The Atmosphere.

As soon as you walk into Mama Shelter, you are welcomed with vibrancy and quirkiness that made me happy. Lots of colours and smiling faces from the reception team. Chubbs and I immediately felt welcome. 

Many eye-catching furniture, plants, and areas within the hotel to explore; the whole place is warm and personable. 

The Staff.

The staff is great and absolutely love dogs; I suspect loving dogs is a requirement when working for Mama Shelter London. The staff’s uniforms are modern and informal, adding to the overall home from home feeling; the staff was accommodating and always made sure Chubbs was looked after as much as I was.

The Room.

The room reminded me of a cute cabin; the quirkiness continues in the room with a personalized message on the mirror and some treats for me and chubbs on the desk; we were both thrilled. The room wasn’t massive but big enough for a cute Dogcation.

I loved the TV’s entertainment with all the movies, I wasn’t expecting that, so it was a nice surprise. We had all the home comforts, which was perfect, and an in-room dog bed too. Although getting Chubbs not to sleep on the bed is quite the challenge!

The Food.

The food menu had a great selection to choose from, plenty of comfort food options, and healthy ones. I went for the Cauliflower and Potato Samosas with a date and tamarind Chutney and Tonkatsu Tuna bowl. Both were very good, and as a non-drinker, I was impressed with the mocktail selection, which was well thought out and not the run of the mill selection of drinks. We opted to have our meal in the greenhouse, and it was a great area to have dinner, a quieter area, and lots of space for Chubbs to stretch out. Also, we wanted to eat our desserts in bed, and the staff arranged our sweet-toothed bedtime treat (Chubbs had an organic dog biscuit!)

Dog Friendliness.

Hands down one of the most dog-friendly hotels in London. Dogs are embraced, loved, and adored at Mama Shelter, London. Dog bowls are the norm and not afterthought! There are size guidelines for dogs that can stay(12kg maximum dog size), however, if your dog has put on a little lockdown weight, I’m sure they will be more than happy to accommodate! 

Treat you and your pup to a Dogcation at Mama Shelter London

Book Now

 

The Dogcation Package 

• Mama Double Room 
• Dog bed and bowl for your pooch to use
• A pack of Lily’s Treats as a gift for your pooch
• Toys to borrow from reception
• 12kg maximum for dog size
• 15% discount code to use at Hiro + Wolf
• Quote booking code: DOGGY

Mama Shelter London Dogcation Rates

Minimum two-night stay

£229 – Medium MAMA Double 

£249 – Medium MAMA Twin

£269 – Large MAMA Double/Assisted Double

£279 – Large MAMA Twin

Chubb’s exploring Mama Shelter London

THE BEST DOG-FRIENDLY GUIDE TO LONDON, PAWS DOWN! 

 

SUPPORTING DOG-FRIENDLY LONDON AFTER A RUFF START TO THE YEAR! 

 

After months of lockdown, July saw restaurants and hotels re-open. Although it has been a few months since venues across London and the country re-opened, they still need our continued support to ensure our dog-friendly hot spots in London continue to thrive, for us all to enjoy.

 

Aneka spoke with the team at Mama Shelter, London, to hear more about their re-opening journey and what pups and pawrents can look forward to when visiting. 

 

ANEKA TALKS TO SAM at MAMA SHELTER LONDON

 

Aneka: Congratulations, you’re back; how did you feel about re-opening? 

 

Sam: We were anxious to open to support the industry and start the work as early as possible to support our team. It was heart-warming to see the feedback and engagement on social media, as our loyal guests and fans counted down the days to our re-opening. It was a positive thing to re-open, and it was great to see regulars and new guests coming through the doors.

 

Aneka: How did you spend your time in lockdown?

 

Sam: I personally have been creating and maintaining a herb garden. I have also spent a lot of quality time with my Yorkie, Hugo,  which has been the best part of lockdown. I have the good fortune of having a garden, front terrace, and two parks a stone’s throw away, so Hugo got his walks, and I got my fresh air. There was also a lot of cooking. 

 

Aneka: Tell us about Mama; what is the story behind the brand?

 

Sam: Mama is brought to us by the Trigano family, who are no strangers to hospitality as they were behind the original Club Med. They have the flagship Mama Shelter in Paris, then followed with other cities and then across the pond to South American, the West Coast, and London. Mama aims to provide a home from home, focusing on comfort and fun.

 

Aneka: What safety measures have you put in place for customers visiting you, and how will this change the experience?

 

Sam: We are exercising social distancing, no paper menus as QR codes take you online, all the staff wear masks, sanitise surfaces continuously, and have dispensers dotted around the building for public/staff use. We leave spaces between bookings to ensure a full, deep, clean, and space-out room allocations for bedrooms. We also have zero contact room service available. I don’t think it changes the experience, as this has become the new normal for everyone. I think what would be more noticeable is if we didn’t put these safety measures in place. 

 

Aneka: Why did Mama Shelter decide to become a dog-friendly hotel?

 

Sam: This is the policy for the entire group as the owners love dogs. Furthermore, you cannot be in East London and not be dog-friendly. I live 10 minutes away and experience that daily. It is a complete surprise to come across a non-dog-friendly spot in our area, and I would certainly say they are missing out big time. Plus, there is nothing lovelier than dogs in the building; it puts a smile on everyone’s face.

 

Aneka: Tell us about your pup!

 

Sam: I have a little 6-year old Yorkshire Terrier called Hugo. He was re-homed with me when his parents (a very old couple) passed away last February. He is the sweetest and most lovable dog. People are surprised how well behaved he is and that he is not yappy at all. His favourite food is roast chicken breast, chorizo and he likes carrots too. 

 

Aneka: What is your favourite dog breed, and why?

 

Sam: Well, he is the second dog I have ever been around. As a child, we had a Jack Russell, called imaginatively, Jack. So, I guess I like small dogs full of personality. My Yorkie is the one for me, and at some point, I will likely adopt another.

 

Aneka: Are all sized dogs welcome and any other dogs house rules we should know about?

 

Sam: Dogs up to the size of 12kg are welcome, only because that is what we feel is comfortable for the dog with the room size. Owners know their dogs and their behaviour, so we trust them to exercise common sense on whether they will be comfortable being in a hotel or not. 

 

Aneka: Any little perks for dogs visiting with their humans?

 

Sam: We have a package called Dogcation, which includes all the perks for the pooch. Dog bowl for water, a bedroom dog bed, a pack of treats, and toys to borrow to play with in-room or in the public areas. 

 

Aneka: And finally, any new products or exciting things coming in the future?

 

Sam: We are focussing day-to-day on ensuring the team, and our guests are kept safe. As there is no concrete evidence that the virus will continue to subside and things will return to normal, I think it would be naive to start planning big things at this stage. For now, we will just continue to love what we do and hope others love it too. 

After a long day of meetings in Central London Chubbs and I hopped into a black cab and headed over to St Katherine’s Dock to check out one of London’s newest dog friendly restaurants, The Melusine.

Recently i have reverted back to being a pescatarian , so I was delighted to check out The Melusine, a restaurant focused on fish dishes, set in the heart of the marina in St Katherine’s Dock, a gorgeous location.

The Vibe
It has a home from home feel, with low lighting, an open kitchen, wooden decor with a modern twist, there is a cute counter that would be great to eat from if you were on your own with your pup. The playlist was also great, I had a sing song between courses!

The Staff
The team at The Melusine are very attentive and accommodating, the service was brilliant all evening.

The Menu
When i scanned through the menu I was happy to see it was short and sweet, great options including sharing plates, raw dishes and of course a great selection of fish dishes to try.

The Food
The food was great and all the dishes were cooked to perfection. Fresh tasting fish and ingredients, it was clear everything was cooked with love. There is a greek influence in the cooking and all the fish is sustainable, which is brilliant.

Chips are a love of mine and the chips here did not disappoint! They were very tasty, with rosemary and sea salt, crunchy coat and soft potato inside – dreamy! The Scallop was fantastic fresh, well seasoned and juicy, loved it. When ordering the small plates, expect a tapas portion size.

The Dessert
The chocolate tart with tahini was AMAZING! You HAVE to try it!

Dog Friendliness
If you have a big dog then let them know in advance so the Melusine can allocate you a table with enough room, they are open to all dog sizes. The temperature of the restaurant was perfect for dogs not to stuffy, nice breeze with air con.

It is an intimate restaurant, but there was enough space for Chubbs to lay down on his blanket sleep and chill. He was very cosy!

Dog treats were on offer, however they could do with an actual dog bowl for dogs visiting the restaurant, but that’s an easy addition for the Melusine to make!

Chubbs and I will be definitely visiting the Melusine again, a HUGE paws up!

On the run up to London Dog Week 2020 we will be bringing you more reviews of the BEST dog friendly places in London.