Dog Owner of The Month: Hayley Southwood (AKA Mrs Scoops!)

The lovely Hayley Southwood is our fabulous Dog Owner of The Month for December. Let's get to know her...

Hi Hayley! Thanks for talking to us. Great name! ;) Why don't you introduce yourself?

I was the founder of Vintage Scoops, the vintage ice cream company. Over the past 3 summers of scooping I found out a lot about myself and discovered I had a passion for PR and social media. I started managing people's accounts and it kind of progressed from there. This summer I sold my Ice cream business and decided to reclaim my weekends !!

And how about your gorgeous dog?

My dog is called Sid, he will be 4 in December, he is a very special dog. Well I guess they are all special but we collected Sid the day my mum passed away so he means so very much to us as a family. Sid helped us to have a focus and a purpose to get up in the morning when we were all grieving. Sid is a mini schnauzer and he is perfect for us as my husband is allergic to dogs and cats. As Sid does not malt my hubby is OK with him.  Phew!!! 

It's amazing how much dogs can help us to heal. It's the festive season now and Christmas is nearly upon us. Do you do anything special for Sid on Christmas day?

We buy Sid a little soft toy for Christmas. He has a delicate tummy so sadly he cannot partake in the turkey dinner, which he would love!!! He doesn't like chewy toys so it's always a soft toy for him!!! Although he'd be pleased with a pair of socks really!

Ah, dogs are so easily pleased.

If you could buy Sid one special Christmas present and money/time were no option what would it be and why?

If I could afford it id like another schnauzer, to keep Sid company!!! They are such lovely dogs.

Does Sid have a special Christmas outfit to dress up in during the festive period?

No special outfits, but we do like him to have a new leather collar from Redhound for dogs .... Their dog beds are really lovely too!

 Oh I do like a nice new collar. What is the most enjoyable thing about having Sid in your life?

I love having a dog for so many reasons, walking him everyday is my time, my peaceful thinking hour. I walk him as soon as get up and then again after 4pm.... It feels like a real luxury to take an hour out of our busy hectic lives and just enjoy the fresh air.
Sid is also a lap dog so it's great in the evening... he snuggles up and always loves a cuddle.

Dog walks have to be one of my favourite things. It's so beneficial for you both. How do you fit in looking after Sid around your busy working life? 

I work from home most days and we have a busy house with two teenage boys so there is always someone here to take care of him.

That's great that you have a big support network to look after him. What do you find most challenging about having a dog? 

It is really hard when we want a day out and it is somewhere where we cannot take Sid... I hate leaving him for long periods of time.

  

I hate leaving my dogs too! I always feel so guilty. What is your absolute favourite thing to do with Sid when you are home? 

I love long walks... 

Do you have any special tips, tricks or products that you would like to share with other dog owners? 

When puppy training we used a crate, I think it was the best thing we did. Sid is a laid back dog, I think that is because we are a laid back family...

Eary training is SO important! If there was one piece of advice that you could give to anyone thinking about getting a dog, what would it be and why? 

Research the breed really well, be sure you have time to train your puppy, a tired dog is a good dog... 

A big THANK YOU to Hayley and Sid for sharing with us. If you would like to keep in touch with them both then make sure you pop over to Hayley's blog at
http://mrsscoops.blogspot.co.uk/.