Recommended dog walker in South Ribble

It can be hard to find a good, reliable dog walker. We were lucky almost 10 years ago to find a couple called Chris and Martin who run Home Comfort Pets. They provide a dog walking, pet visiting and small animal boarding service in Lostock Hall, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham, Hutton, Longton and Walton-le-Dale.  

In all that time they have been reliable, trustworthy and most importantly, looked after our dog with all the love and care that we do. He never has a day where he doesn't get a walk at lunchtime, regardless of our own work commitments. 

At the moment they have some vacancies for 1 to 1 walks throughout the day so, if you're in the South Ribble area and looking for a reliable dog walker, give them a call. You will find them on facebook or google 'home comfort pets'. I can't recommend them highly enough!

Alabama Rot in Preston, Lancashire

So, for the last few days Facebook has been suggesting a case of Alabama Rot has been diagnosed in Preston. Tonight the Lancashire Evening Post has reported that a dog has died of the disease, the 65th case in the UK since 2012. The dog is believed to be from the Fulwood Area, although in the past few days I had heard it was from Garstang. Given the report that it was walked in Highgate Woods off Garstang Road it is well worth avoiding walking your dog there for the time being. From what I have read previously your dog seems most at risk in wet, muddy, wooded areas. Certainly that was the case in the New Forest, where the first outbreaks were reported, and I think in the cases reported in Cornwall. It does appear that you can never be totally safe round here. As many will know, there were cases around Bolton and Wigan last year. If your dog does get muddy (when don't they?) the advice seems to be to wash it off. However, if like me you are completed paranoid you'll stick to the paths on open moors and beaches whenever you can. it sounds like the most horrible disease. My heart goes to the owner.

Dining with dogs (Dog friendly pubs in Cornwall)

Finding good places to eat where your dog is welcome can be a challenge in some places, but not in Cornwall. Over the 9 years that we've enjoyed holidays with our dog in this wonderful place we have seen big changes in the number of good quality eating establishments. Where once there were seemly a handful of really good places to eat, you are probably never far from one these days, wherever you choose to stay.

Of course standards go up and down, so all of the places I've listed here are ones we have visited at least once over the past 12 months. We are lucky to have had five weeks away in that time so had plenty of time to enjoy some of the best food we could imagine. I don't claim that these are the best pubs in Cornwall. That depends on what you expect from a pub. I recall visiting the Blisland Inn, a fantastic pub for real ale fans, but not a place where you'd rave about the food. The point of this post is to highlight some of the best dining experiences you can have with your dog in tow, which are not necessarily the best dog friendly pubs. All allow dogs inside, on leads of course, and you will normally be restricted to the bar area. All are well worth a visit though.

Please please though keep your dog under control. We are so lucky to have good places to eat where our dogs can join us. Sadly whilst unruly kids can often run riot, society is less tolerant of unruly dogs. That's life!

St Petrocs Bistro, Padstow

 Part of the Rick Stein empire, St Petrocs Bistro was a surprise find. Diners with dogs are welcome in the small but comfortable bar area. When we visited we were given a warm welcome and the dog given a bowl of water should he decide to awake from his sleep on the stone flagged floor. Of course the food was excellent. Booking advisable if not essential.

https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/st-petrocs-bistro/

The Old School Bar and Kitchen, Mount Hawke

What appears to be an old school has been converted in to a contemporary bar and restaurant. A word of warning here, diners with dogs are welcome in the bar, but it can get busy and noisy. It is after all a bar first and foremost. A great place if you fancy a lively good night out. The food here was great, as are the cocktails. The menu was varied but gastro burgers seemed the way to go on our visit. I was not disappointed.

http://www.osbk.co.uk

The Gurnards Head, Zennor

The Gurnards Head needs no introduction to regular visitors to the far west of Cornwall. Standing yellow and proud on the spectacular coastal road near to St Ives, it is hard to miss. The food here is wonderful, some of the best we have eaten, and beautifully presented. Dogs are very welcome in the bar area. It does get busy so booking recommended.

http://www.gurnardshead.co.uk

The Old Coastguard Hotel, Mousehole

One of our favourites! We first went to the Old Coastguard drenched and cold after watching the storms of February 2014. We, and the dog, were made very welcome despite our appearance. Food here is very good, and similar to the Gurnards Head, part of the same Eat, Drink, Sleep family of pubs. We have returned many times, including a 3 night stay in 2015. Dogs are very welcome in the wooden floored bar area.

http://www.oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk

The Coldstreamer, Gulval

The Coldstreamer was a new find in 2015. A place where you'd be equally at home just having a drink. Dogs are allowed in the faily spacious bar area. This is not a particularly formal place so take it as you find it, and as it finds you. The food was excellent, and different. Check out the menu for this place! 

As I write this post I see the Coldstreamer has new lessees. Happily, it is the Head Chef who in charge when we visited, meaning it's rise to stardom looks set to continue. It will be interesting to see what changes they make, but hope it keeps its rather rustic feel. It's so good I've not put a website link up, you'll have to find it!

The Pandora Inn, Mylor

One of the prettiest spots in Cornwall. Best sitting outside on a sunny day watching the world go by, but dogs are allowed in the pub itself. Although very good I confess we found the menu a bit limited if you want to visit several times on your holiday. Still well worth a visit though. 

http://www.pandorainn.com

St Tudy Inn, St Tudy

Although still a pub, the St Tudy is more of a dining experience. Dogs are welcome in the small but comfortable bar area. When we last visited in February 2016 we were the only diners in the bar, but several locals were enjoying a few drinks. The restaurant looks very civilised! The food here is excellent. Hard to imagine that you'll find much better if you have a dog in tow. 

http://www.sttudyinn.com

Lewinnick Lodge, Newquay

The setting is amazing, sitting on the cliff edge looking out towards Fistral Beach. The bar are welcomes dogs and was busy on our visit. We found a table by the window and enjoyed good food and a few drinks. It was lively, with a pool table, comfy sofas and plenty of people just enjoying a drink. don't let that out you off though, there aren't many places where you can enjoy a view like this. The adjacent restaurant seemed very quiet, but imagine it gets busy at weekends and in season.

http://www.lewinnicklodge.co.uk