New way of working

I first write my apology.

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It's been weeks since I wrote a post and the main reason, and I know you may not believe this, I just didn't know what to say!

I have no idea whats going on in the world, its like all the horror films you've ever watched rolled into one and if I'm being really truthful with you, its taken me till now to fully digest it.  I'm no further on with regards to how to process whats happening but I am definitely coping.  
One thing thats helped massively is my wonderful lovely clients, those who have kept in touch with their litter pictures, those who have messaged their concerns both for the pandemic and how it will affect them along with the usual calls I get to help with problem puppies or advice on labour.  They've really kept me going and just knowing we're all in this together, as breeders and a human race is comforting.  We need to keep talking, keep supporting and keep communicating together.  To help this I have opened our new group North West Breeders Network for my clients to chat, share and support one another through their litters. If you're not already part of that community get yourself added in.

I write this post now having completed a 200 mile round trip a few days ago to deliver my litter of bulldog puppies to their new homes.
I felt like Santa on Christmas eve, only better because I got to stick around and see the kid’s faces when they saw their new puppy for the first time.

You see this litter has been very different to any of my others.  All the visits have been done via facetime or pictures and videos and it’s a new thing for me to deliver pups rather than new families heading over to POB HQ to collect their new baby.

It’s been a different experience but I have to say one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and I actually think I may continue with similar practices in the future !  
It’s meant I can meet family members over facetime calls that I may never have met had just the immediate family come to visit the pups.  I’ve had the opportunity over the pictures, videos and calls to nosy round people’s homes with them and show them round ours. They’ve met all the dogs in their natural state rather than them bouncing round like buffoons cos “new people are here so let’s all play up!” as children and animals inevitably do.

I’ve actually built really nice friendships with my new families that I believe will mean going forward a great “working” relationship will develop much easier than had we only met once or twice and just shared the odd photo.  Which surely is better for the pup?

I made sure all contracts and guidance sheets were emailed prior to delivery and all financial transactions had been cleared in advance.

With new guidance shared today by the Kennel Club it seems the processes are expected to be adopted by all breeders during this period of restriction and uncertainty and I think provided we all stay sensible, it could work really well!

I have written about the new guidelines and my understanding of them in my new email drop, if you’d like to subscribe just add your email address to the pop up here on the website and you’ll be added to the next drop.

I'll leave you for now with the commitment to not leave it so long before I post again.
Please continue to talk, share and most importantly stay safe!