The Bark Side

23/10/2026

Hiya! It’s me, Brutus 🐾🐾

My people asked me to let you know that Rother Street Market, Stratford upon Avon, is cancelled tomorrow, Saturday 24th October, as Storm Austen is in town.

So don’t go there expecting to find our awesome dog toys, treats, Halloween toys, Christmas gifts, or cat toys, ‘cos The Bark Side will be staying warm, safe, and dry at home. Duvet day? Extra snuggles? Oh, hell yes! 🤩

You can still order online though - no market needed for that. So stay home, keep warm and safe, and shop from the comfort of your sofa.

Catch you next week 🐾🐾

14/07/2026

And another fabulous review!

The gorgeous Rosa was my final customer of the day on Saturday and I was seriously flagging by then. But I was so keen to make her comfortable that I wet her new cool coat so she could wear it immediately.

Her lovely mum was carrying her to avoid the risk of burning her paws. The beauty of the Equilibrium Quick Chill Cool Coat is that the moisture stays on the inside - so Rosa could be carried without drenching her mum at the same time 😎🐾🐾

Another premium product at a reasonable price.

12/07/2026

Yesterday at the market was a real struggle for me; it was far too hot for this shade-dweller.

But the fact that a number of people purchased the amazing Quick Chill Cool Coat by Equilibrium made up for it. Every one sold is another dog kept cool in this heatwave. If more dogs are comfortable and safe, it’s worth the struggle.

06/07/2026

Make sure your dog has the Strictly Limited Edition KONG Knots dog toy ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final match with Norway! Now only £10 each. Last few available.

Order online to avoid disappointment ⚽🐾🐾

30/06/2026

Absolutely delighted with this review!

Another doggo who’s heatwave ready 🐾🐾

23/06/2026

Hey folks. This isn’t far from TBS HQ, and shows that the temperature of the tarmac is roughly DOUBLE that of the air temp! 🥵

If any further evidence was needed that these temps are not suitable for walking dogs, this is it.

Please keep them home and keep them cool ❄️ 🐾🐾

And the current temperature of the tarmac in Stourport , West Midlands is 55.6C - 12:41pm
23/6/26 .

Yes, I am that much of a nerd .
Vicky

13/06/2026

When you’re so excited to play with your new toys that you just can’t wait until you get home 🐾🐾

11/06/2026

KONG is celebrating both the World Cup 2026 and its 50th birthday! Your dog can celebrate too, with their strictly limited edition World Cup dog toys.

Available now on The Bark Side - order online or visit the stall at Rother Street Market on Saturdays.

(Obviously Brutus has been testing for a while - approved. Always working, that dog).

25/05/2026

Obviously The Bark Side’s followers don’t need to be told; you guys already do the absolute best for your dogs. But please educate others who just don’t realise.

Keep dogs cool; keep them safe.

☀️ YOUR DOG DOES NOT NEED A WALK IN THIS HEAT. ☀️

They need to stay alive.

We are seeing far too many dogs being dragged around parks, pavements and fields in temperatures that can KILL them.

Let’s be blunt.

By the time your dog is collapsing, vomiting, unable to stand, drooling excessively or struggling to breathe… the damage is already happening.

Heatstroke is not “a bit overheated.”
Dogs DIE from this - Dogs have died in LEAMINGTON from heatstroke!

And even the ones that survive can suffer organ damage for the rest of their lives.

Your dog panting heavily is not funny.
It is not them “loving the sunshine.”
It is their body desperately trying not to overheat.

If you are sweating in shorts and a T-shirt, why are you forcing an animal wearing a fur coat to walk on boiling pavements?

NO dog has ever died from missing one walk.
Dogs HAVE died because owners ignored the heat.

So please stop:

❌ Marching dogs around retail parks
❌ Throwing balls until dogs collapse
❌ Taking dogs on walks in midday sun
❌ Walking dogs on scorching pavements
❌ Assuming water alone prevents heatstroke
❌ Leaving dogs in cars — even for 2 minutes.

If it is hot enough that YOU are uncomfortable — it is too hot for dogs to exercise safely.

Walk them at sunrise.
Walk them late evening.
Or don’t walk them at all for one day and use enrichment toys and ideas off the internet.

Because we can promise you this:
The guilt of skipping a walk lasts minutes.
The guilt of carrying your dog into an emergency vets surgery lasts forever. 🐾

(*And before the Tesla owners start writing essays in the comments 😅 yes… we know your dogs are sat in ‘Pet Mode’ with air con, mood lighting and probably watching Netflix. We’re not talking about you.🙄)

20/05/2026

This intense expression can only mean one thing: Brutus has begun testing a new product range.

Watch this space for updates…