Michelle: “I only insure Rhapsody — I put
money into a monthly savers’ account for the
others in case of vet’s bills. I also have a good
deal with a local pet store, where my dad and
I buy 100 bags of food at a time, which saves
us £4 per bag.”
Lisa: “Only Angel is insured as she’s still
a puppy. I try to put money into a savings
account for vet’s bills. But it has been costly
lately, with old lady complaints, such as urinary
infections and arthritis medication.”Q. What about managing mealtimes?
Chris: “We separate them into two rooms
and feed twice a day. The bowls go down
in a certain order in the same spot — the
quickest eaters are in the middle, so they all
fi nish around the same time, apart from Bailey,
who always fi nishes fi rst.”
Michelle: “Mocha was raised in kennels and
is food possessive, so I feed her and Roo
separately. The others eat in two groups, with
those that get on best together.”
Lisa: “I always put their bowls down in
a certain order in exactly the same spot
— especially important as Salsa can’t see. My
son puts the bowls down in a different order,
although they expect this from him and are
OK with it.”Q. And what about walks?
Chris: “We take the slower
walkers and older dogs
in one group, and those
who like to play together
in another. We walk Bailey
separately and take
him further. They arewalked on-lead to a secure fi eld, then let off,
and I throw a ball on the end of a rope.”
Michelle: “I walk all seven together — four on
my left and three on my right — twice a day.
The large ones are trained to walk to heel,
while the two rescues, Coco and Rhapsody,
are on a split lead. I walk them to an enclosed
fi eld where they run off-lead.”
Lisa: “The two old ladies don’t go out with
the rest now, and just have short walks
together. In the morning, I drive the others to
a local wood, fi eld, or park, and give them
a good run. Then they have a road walk later,
with the younger ones on Canny Collars. I can
only manage a maximum of three so have
someone to help me.”Q. What happens if you want to go on
holiday or are ill?
Chris: “We took six dogs camping in
a big tent for a week in Devon three years
ago. It was brilliant! However, we have
a good relationship with our neighbours
and local pet-sitters, so have people to call
on if needed.”
Michelle: “I don’t go away for long periodsothers in case of vet’s bills. I also have a good
deal with a local pet store, where my dad and
I buy 100 bags of food at a time, which saves
us £4 per bag.”
Lisa: “Only Angel is insured as she’s still
a puppy. I try to put money into a savings
account for vet’s bills. But it has been costly
lately, with old lady complaints, such as urinary
infections and arthritis medication.”Q. And what about walks?
Chris: “We take the slower
walkers and older dogs
in one group, and those
who like to play together
in another. We walk Baileyey
separately and take
him further. They areQ. What happens if you want to go on
holiday or are ill?
Chris:“We took six dogs camping in
a big tent for a week in Devon three years
ago. It was brilliant! However, we have
a a good relationship with our neighbours
and local pet-sitters, so have people to call
on if needed.”
Michelle:“I don’t go away for long periods“There are so many things
I wouldn’t otherwise have
done without them.”Lisa and Stella
at Crufts.Image: Melanie Heaton.26 Your Dog November 201724-27 Multi Dog Ant+CS SWCC.indd 26 22/09/2017 15:12