All posts by andyc823

Announcement

CORONA VIRUS UPDATE

Updated: 7th December 2021

Andy Walks is currently open for business, however we have imposed special restrictions for safety. Please read the following in full as some of our restrictions may have changed due to the new Omicron variant of Covid 19.

We have been continuing to monitor the situation very carefully throughout the pandemic. Independent scientific advice suggests the new Omicron variant (also known as the South African Variant) is much more transmissable than even the recent Delta variant and is already infecting people here in the UK.

It has been proved that DOUBLE VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN EASILY CATCH THE OMICRON VARIANT due to it’s new mutations.

Also 1 in every three people who catch covid have no symptoms, but can pass on the virus to cause severe symptoms or even death in others.

Currently (December 7th) the latest Office for National Statistics data suggests that, in the loacl area where we operate gog walking services, 1 in every 45 people in the community has Covid 19, many of whom have no symptoms, may be unaware they have it, but are still VERY CONTAGEOUS! For this reason we are again ramping up our restrictions to help keep everyone safe and we are again asking for your help.

For dog walking…

Until further notice we will only walk your dog using leads supplied by us. Your dog can still wear their normal collar or harness, but this must include a clip where a standard lead can be attached.

You must also inform us if any member of the household or anyone else your pet has come into contact with in the past 14 days is isolating for any covid related reason, irrespective of their test results or vaccination status. THIS INCLUDES CHILDREN SENT HOME FROM SCHOOL, EVEN IF THEY TEST NEGATIVE.

In addition, you must inform us immediately if anyone in your household receives a positive lateral flow or PCR test result, even if subsequent tests show negative. (e.g. if you take two tests in quick succession with different results).

Unfortunately we will be unable to walk your pet for 14 days from the date you inform us of isolation request or positive test result. There will be no charge for walks cancelled where you can show someone has been requested to isolate or asked to take a test.

For doggy daycare and pet home visits…

If we are coming to visit your pet at home or your pet is coming to visit us for  our doggy daycare service, we are asking everyone in your household to take a lateral flow test either the night before or on the morning of the booking. You must inform us immediately if any of these tests are positive and we may ask you to provide evidence of negative test results. (This evidence can be in teh form of an e-mail or SMS message sent to you when you log your results with the NHS.)

Unfortuinately we will be unable to proceed with your booking for up to 14 days from the date you inform us of a positive test result.
There will be no charge for bookings cancelled where you can show proof of a positive test result or a request to isolate.

PLEASE NOTE:

Your VACCINATION STATUSHAS NO BEARING on the above restrictions as the current Omicron variant of Covid 19 CAN EVADE THE CURRENT VACCINES.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us any time on 07837 306824 or by using the contact form on this website. Updates will be posted here if anything changes.

Thank you for your understanding.

Stay safe!

Andy.

 

Blog

Back in the freezer!

Well, after a slightly warmer few days, it was straight back into the freezer for my first walk this morning. This was the scene in Bolsover while I was out with Pippa at about 9:30. Although it was sunny, where the sunshine hadn’t reached there was still a thick layer of frost.

At least it wasn’t dark though!

Blog

Not quite so cold now

It’s feeling a bit warmer this week. After quite a few cold days, the temperature hit 10c, so maybe spring really is just around the corner after all? The ground is also starting to dry up a bit, so that’s a bonus too.

Whateber the weather, I’ve been out walking. The photo above was taken in an almost sunny Wingerworth. Perhaps the sun will actually make it sometime next week? Let’s hope so!

Blog

Back to the woods

Jarvis has been enjoying a few extra walks recently. We went back to the woods for the first time since last summer and it’s looking a lot different without any leaves on the trees.

Overall this winter hasn’t been too bad so far. It’s been relatively warm and not too much ice around. Ice is definitely the worst thing when you’re trying to walk about.

Unfortunately, as I’m writing this we’re in the grip of a storm. There have been gusting winds of about 90mph over the last couple of days and it’s still howling through the trees. The walks are continuing as normal though. I just have to keep an eye out for flying wheelie-bins etc!

Blog

Hello Alfie & Archie

It’s a big Hello to Alfie and Archie this week, who have just started regular walks.

They both enjoy being out and about, so their walks are something they seem to look forward to quite a bit. Luckily the weather has been reasonably good since the new year, so we can go on the grass near their home without totally sinking into it!

Blog

First sign of spring

Sky has been out for his first walk of the new year today and while we were out, we saw the snowdrops below.

Although it’s only the beginning of January, it’s a good sign that spring is only just around the corner.

 

Blog

Happy New Year

Christmas is now over for another year. We didn’t stop for the festive season though, working on the theory our furry friends still want a walk, no matter what day it is. Pepper has been enjoying her walks over the holidays, as you can see from the photo above.

The new year looks set to be a busy one. In a couple of weeks it will be the busiest week for pre-booked walks we’ve ever had. So I just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year and say thanks for your business over the last 12 months. Hopefully  we’ll meet even more furry friends and their owners over the next 12.

Blog

Sky

As winter gets closer it’s also getting colder outside. Sky is an ex-racing greyhound and he feels the chill a bit, so he’s been out wearing his camo coat this week.

It’s definitely warm. I just wish I could find one to fit me too!

Blog

Down by the pond

The weather has been ok this week. Just a bit cold. It’s been nice to see some sunshine though. Here’s the lake at Wingerworth, with the Smithy Pond pub in the background.

Blog

Scaling new heights

Pepper moved house a few weeks ago, so we’ve had to find some new places to go for her walks. The first walk we tried, along a footpath beside a field, was ok  when it was dry, but got very muddy after any rain. So after spotting another path last week, we ended up on top of this very steep hill at Carlton-in-Lindrick.