PetLife Blog @ Pet & Country

Going away for the weekend is something we can always benefit from, but why not bring all the whole family and enjoy a nights stay in some of Northern Irelands most stunning locations!

WILLOW COTTAGE

County Fermanagh

Take advantage of your unique location and explore some of the 2,000  acres that make up the Crom estate, to discover the old castle ruins and ancient yew trees. On the shores of Lough Erne, you can go canoeing along its trail where you’ll discover its scattered islands and narrow channels. Crom is home to a variety of plants and animals, the diversity of habitats makes it an important conservation site. Look out for butterflies, red squirrels, otters, pine martens, and visit the new bird hide in a quiet corner of the estate. 

THE POTTER'S COTTAGE

County Down

Potter’s Cottage is in what was the working farmyard of Castle Ward Estate, on the shores of Strangford Lough. The cottage was occupied by a potter in the 1960s, but long before this was an integral part of the farmyard, being the place where the feed was prepared for the livestock housed there. More recently, the farmyard provided the backdrop for Winterfell in the first series of Game of Thrones. 

Key scenes from the drama will unfold right from your doorstep, from the Whispering Wood to the clock tower just next to the cottage. However, you can escape the world of dragons and battling kingdoms when you close the front door of this cosy little nook. There are white-washed stone walls, small peeping windows and a roaring fire to welcome you after a busy day of exploring, and room for your dog too.  

Number of dogs welcome

2

BARN LANE

County Derry

Barn Lane @ Drumagosker Rural Retreats is located in Ardmore. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi. The holiday home is fitted with 3 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, oven, washing machine, microwave and a fridge. Towels and bed linen are offered in the holiday home.

The accommodation offers a fireplace and guests can also relax in the garden.

The property is nestled in the Sperrin Mountains in an area of outstanding beauty. It is a 5 minute drive from Limavady with it's chic boutiques and lovely restaurants. The bustling seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart are within a 20 minute drive away. Londonderry with it's rich history and city walls can be reached within 35 minutes. Bushmills and it's world famous whiskey distillery and fine eateries are just 25 minutes away. The Giants Causeway a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's award winning visitors centre and the Carrick a Rede rope bridge are all within easy distance. The city of Belfast and the world famous Titanic Museum, theatres, museums and fabulous restaurants and irish pubs can be reached within an hour and 15 minutes. A great central location to visit the North Coast of Ireland. Number 1 Barn Lane is easily accessible by car, directions can be obtained from the owners upon booking. The City of Londonderry airport is within a 45 minute drive away, Belfast International Airport is within an hours drive and the City of Belfast Airport is within an hour and 15 minute drive.

Number of guests:  8

Number of rooms: 3

 

CREATIVE ART CABIN

County Derry

Creative Art Cabin, nearest is beach 10 minutes away! A property with a garden and a shared lounge, is situated in Articlave, 11 km from Mussenden Temple, 12 km from Mountsandel Fort, as well as 14 km from Portstewart Golf Club. This property offers access to a balcony, table tennis, and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking. The holiday home is equipped with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a terrace with sea views. Guests can take in the views of the garden from the patio, which also has outdoor furniture. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance. The holiday home has an outdoor fireplace and a picnic area. Benone Golf Course is 15 km from Creative Art Cabin, while Binevenagh Mountain is 18 km from the property. The nearest airport is City of Derry Airport, 30 km from the accommodation.

Our pooches love the summer time getting out to enjoy all sorts of adventures with the family but unfortunately so do fleas this time of year...

As we all know fleas can be a big annoyance for both ourselves and especially our pooches, causing discomfort and  even serious health problems if left unchecked.

The time has come 'PEAK FLEA SEASON'

Read on as we help you get prepared and everything you need to know to keep your pups safe this Summer! 

WHEN IS PEAK MONTHS?

Fleas multiply so much faster during humid weather so June - September is when they can be more active

 Female fleas lay eggs on your pet and they fall off their coat as they wander round your house. The eggs can find their way into every nook, they're favourite places are dark dry areas, where they will lay waiting to hatch!

It's also important to remember that fleas can be active indoors also, so keeping a close eye on your pets and their environment during the peak season is crucial. Even if your pets spend most of their time indoors, they can still bring in fleas from their occasional outdoor adventures and so can YOU!

You can carry fleas in from your shoes if you have been through the grass, they can latch onto clothing as well so it is important that you be active in preventing as much contact as possible.

DO THEY LIKE THE HEAT?

YESSS!

fleas thrive in hot temperatures and they can multiple so much quicker, it can take as little as 14 days from being an egg to an adult and a single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs PER DAY!

PREVENTING AND HELPING AN INVESTATION 

>Keeping up to date with your dogs fleeing treatments is essential for their own protection. 

>Frequent trips to the groomer and baths can also help you spot fleas quicker and stop the spread before it becomes too bad.

>Regularly hoover your home especially in the hard to get places. Remember to dispose of the hoover bag or empty the canister after each use to prevent fleas from re-infesting your home.

>Wash pet bedding, blankets and other washable items frequently at 60°C to remove flea eggs and larvae. 

>During peak season, try to limit your pet to exposure in areas where fleas may be ie: tall grass, forests etc. 

Here are the faces behind Pet & Country! 

Meet new members and find out about our wonderful team.

HILARY-ANNE (OWNER)

I do the accounts for Pet & Country, I am the one who pays the bills!  I work from home and usually the books are completed around my busy life.  I also do some of the buying for the shop usually the gifts and fashion.  I love fashion and trends, and the collections we have in store.  I have made a jacket in the last couple of weeks and I am making another jacket at the minute.

 I have 6 lovely grandchildren, the 2 latest boys were born in 2024.  These wee people keep their granny and granda busy but we are very blessed.  I go to the gym, and I have started to do the 5K Park runs at the weekends.  I also crochet usually baby blankets!

JOANNE (SUPERVISOR)

Hi, I'm one of the supervisors here at Pet and Country and have been here since 2019 . I do most of the orders and invoices for the pet side of the store and I have often been bribed into appearing in some Tik Tok or Facebook posts! We are a great team and here to help in any way we can.

MARYSIA (SUPERVISOR) 

Hi! I've been with Pet & Country since 2020. What I do best.. I thrive on the challenge of putting out new stock and turning the shop around to ensure displays look fantastic at all times! You'll never find the same thing in the same place for too long with me around. I work with a great team whom I'm proud to be a part of!

SAMANTHA (SOCIAL MEDIA & SALES ASSISTANT)

Hey! I have been with Pet & Country from 2022 and have loved every minute! I look after all of our social accounts, maintain the running of our website, whilst also looking after our amazing store and serving our wonderful customers. (I'll probably be the one you see dancing about on Instagram or Tik Tok.)

Outside of work I love doing photography and spending time with my wee family, my son has has just entered his toddler era so he always keeps me and my husband on our toes. We all work so well together and I'm so proud to be part of this amazing team.

 AMY (SALES ASSISTANT)

My names Amy and I enjoy making displays with all our wonderful products, especially the Jellycat! I like seeing all the regular pups in for their treats, especially when they stop dead in their tracks outside the door and wont move till they come in!

CARLA (SALES ASSISTANT) 

Hey, I have been with Pet & Country since August 2024, I love meeting all our customers and finding out all about their furry friends! My favourite part of my job is putting out new stock, especially the handbags! Outside of work there's nothing I love more than relaxing with a good book.  

MICHELLE (SALES ASSISTANT)

 Hi, I'm Michelle, I'm the newbie to Pet & Country team and I have started in August 2024. I love to meet all the customers especially the fury ones! When I'm not in work I love to spend time with my family. I love animals especially horses , I teach and ride horses. when I'm not at Pet and Country you'll usually find me at the stables with my horse.

Hope you enjoyed getting to meet the team!

We appreciate all the support our customers give whether it be in store or online we are glad we are always here to help! 

Thanks 

Pet & Country Team x