Jairkingsly Labradors

Winter Walks and a Heroic Vet Visit

Ah, winter weekends! The perfect time for a brisk stroll with Lottie, who was finally embracing her independence. Of course, this wasn’t always the case. Most of our outings were family affairs, but we decided to spice things up by venturing to Alderford Lake in Shropshire. It’s a delightful spot where you can wander, watch ducks or humans brave the water, and paddleboard. For us, it was a leisurely walk, with the occasional daring dip by the girls. Brrr, too chilly for us humans! We always capped off our adventures with a warm hot chocolate at the local coffee shop.

Around this time, we decided to tackle a home decoration project. Sounds straightforward, right? But remember, we have two incredibly curious Labradors. To keep them out of mischief, we booked them into our local kennels for a couple of days—a little holiday for them. They love it there, and we love the peace and quiet to finish our project before picking them up. They always return exhausted, probably from all the playing and socialising. It’s the same after their spa days!

Speaking of spa days, Lottie had her own solo adventure there. It was part of our plan to help her become more independent, as we knew it would be necessary in the future. As a reward for her bravery, we treated her to a visit to the local pub, where we shared a bowl of chips. Yum!

Then came a Facebook post that nearly knocked me off my feet! I was catching up with friends when a notification popped up on my phone. It was from Jason, who had checked into our local vets! In a panic, I called him, only to hear him chuckling. Turns out, Lottie had saved another dog! We had registered her as a blood donor at the vets, and they urgently needed her help. Our little hero! Unlike humans who get tea and biscuits, Lottie received a teddy and a certificate. They warned us she might not feel like eating, but being a Labrador, that was never going to happen! She bounced back quickly, with just a shaved spot under her chin. I learned there are over 12 different blood groups—who knew?

As spring arrived with warmer weather, the ice cream van made an early visit. Poppy and Lottie were beside themselves with excitement, pacing around at the sound of the cheerful chimes. Jason tried to explain that the van was empty, but he couldn’t resist buying them each a cone. I know it’s not the healthiest treat, but as a special occasion, we thought it was fine. And it lasted longer than we expected!From chilly walks to Lottie’s heroic act, it was quite the adventure!