Happy first birthday Devon Loves Dogs

More than 15 local dogs celebrated Devon Loves Dogs’ first birthday on Saturday, with prizes, games and treats for dogs, as well as a specially-made dog birthday cake.

Devon Loves Dogs joined forces with Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust to take dogs and their owners on a guided, waggy walk around the Pebblebed Heaths to learn about the special wildlife there. At the end of the walk the dog owners enjoyed breakfast, while the dogs enjoyed eating a cake made of dog-friendly ingredients. The dogs went on to enjoy playing games like ‘fetch’, the best trick and sleeping lions, with prizes for the winners.

Julie Owen from Devon Loves Dogs said: “It was a brilliant first birthday gathering for lots of our dog members. People join Devon loves dogs because they want to be part of a group of people who love their dogs, love where we live and want to help care for it by being a responsible dog owner.

“It’s free to join and come along to Waggy Walks. See www.devonlovesdogs.co.uk for details and more walks. Our next one is on 14 August at Dawlish Countryside Park.”

Kim Strawbridge from Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust said: “Our waggy walks on the Pebblebed Heaths are a series of walks especially for people with their dogs. We want to show people some of the lovely short walking routes that we have here and tell them why the heaths are so special. The walks give people the confidence to explore, safe in the knowledge that if they follow the Pebblebed Dog Code, they are helping us care for the heaths which we all love. These walks are a brilliant opportunity to get to know some of our regular visitors and we always have a lot of fun along the way.”

Mo Gori de Murden, prize winner, said: “We had so much fun. It’s really good for Daisy to socialise with other dogs, because she has a tendency to be nervous and bark, so going on the walk helped her make lots of new friends!

“Daisy really enjoyed the cake and we were very lucky to win a dicky bag. It clips on to a belt or coat and you can put any doggy deposits in it while you are out on your walk. It means you don’t have to carry a smelly bag around with you until you see a dog bin.

“I think more people should use dicky bags because it means its less hassle and hopefully less people will leave filled dog bags behind or in hedges and trees.”

You can buy special Pebblebed dicky bags from Rolle Estate Office, Bicton Arena, East Budleigh EX9 7BL. For more info or to reserve a dicky bag, email mail@pebblebedheaths.org.uk