Walks with Sandra

14/06/2026

🚰 Can you be our Bembridge Community Hero?

1st Bembridge, St Helens & Seaview Scouts are looking for a local plumber, handyman, or someone with the right skills to help us install an outdoor tap in a lockable cabinet at our Scout Hut on Mitten Road.

We can fund the materials and make a contribution towards the installation – we just need the right person to help make it happen.

If you think you can help, or know someone who can, please get in touch at [email protected].

Please share this post and help us find our community hero! 💚

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

🐄 A Dog Walker’s Guide to Staying Safe Around Cattle 🐄

Usually, if I see cattle in a field and I’m out walking with a dog, I’ll simply choose another route. I don’t want to put myself, the dog, or the cattle under any unnecessary stress or risk.

If I’m out hiking on my own, I’ll generally walk through the field calmly and respectfully, giving the cattle plenty of space. But when I’m responsible for a dog, my approach is different. In most cases, I prefer to avoid fields with cattle altogether if there’s a reasonable alternative.

Most cows want absolutely nothing to do with us, and the best thing we can do is give them space, stay calm, and show them respect.

When I know cattle are nearby, I:
✔ Give them a very wide berth whenever possible.
✔ Stick to the edge of the field if I can.
✔ Keep dogs under close control.
✔ Watch the herd’s behaviour and avoid disturbing them.
✔ Turn around and choose another route if I don’t feel comfortable.

A conversation with a local farmer today reinforced something that many dog owners don’t realise:

⚠️ If cattle become threatening or start chasing you, the recommended advice is to LET GO OF YOUR DOG’S LEAD.

That sounds frightening, but cattle often see the dog as the threat. If you’re attached to the dog, you’re attached to the thing they’re focused on. A dog can usually outrun cattle and escape far more easily than a person can.

This isn’t just one farmer’s opinion - it’s also reflected in official countryside safety guidance.

Some important facts:

📊 Dogs are involved in around two-thirds of reported cattle incidents involving walkers.

📊 In a UK review of fatal cattle incidents involving walkers, dogs were present in the vast majority of cases.

📊 Cows with calves are one of the situations where extra caution is needed, as protective maternal instincts can make cattle more defensive.

The best approach?

✅ Give cattle plenty of space.
✅ Stay calm.
✅ Never run.
✅ Avoid getting between cows and calves.
✅ If cattle show too much interest in you, calmly leave the field if possible.
✅ If threatened by cattle, release your dog’s lead and move to safety.

Most encounters with cattle are completely uneventful. The aim isn’t to be frightened of them—it’s to respect them. They’re large, powerful animals, and a little awareness can help keep both people and dogs safe.

Stay safe out there and enjoy the countryside responsibly. 🐾🐄

11/06/2026

🌧️🐾 Boo was feeling the wet weather blues today ❤️

After a very enthusiastic hello and a tasty treat, I had toys ready and games planned, but Boo had other ideas. Rather than play, he decided it was one of those days for taking things slowly, so he settled himself down in the kitchen and I joined him 😊.

We spent most of our visit chatting, enjoying plenty of belly rubs, and finishing off with a good brush before lunch 🥰🐶. Not every visit has to be full of action. Sometimes the best thing we can do is enjoy a little quiet companionship.

Now it’s time for me to head out on another very soggy walk! ☔😂 Not every animal I care for makes an appearance on Facebook, and that’s exactly how it should be. I always make sure I have permission before sharing photos, so while you might not see them here, there are plenty of wonderful furry friends keeping me busy behind the scenes 🐾❤️.

Wish me luck out in the rain! 🌧️🚶‍♀️🐾

www.walkswithsandra.co.uk

11/06/2026

🌧️🐾 With the rain coming down steadily today, it was all about indoor fun for Dora, Poppy, and Bonnie! ❤️

The Frenchies had absolutely no interest in heading out into the wet weather, and honestly, who can blame them? 😂 So instead, we enjoyed a pop in visit, which meant Dora could join in the fun too.

There were zoomies around the front room, plenty of toy chasing, a little bit of training, and lots of laughter. We practised some basic skills and tried a few waits, but the girls had far too much energy to stay still for long! 🤣🐶

Sometimes you have to read the room and realise that fun is the priority. So we swapped training for games, cuddly toys, treats, and lots of playful cuddles 🥰🐾.

A wet day outside, but plenty of happy girls indoors! ❤️

www.walkswithsandra.co.uk

11/06/2026

🌧️🐾 Finnley is definitely not a fan of wet weather, so when I arrived this morning to find it already raining, I was quite surprised that he chose to come out with me! 😂

Of course, when nature calls, you have to answer, so off we went. To his credit, when there was no shelter, he powered through like a little champion 💪🐶. But whenever there was a hedge, wall, or any dry spot available, he was very quick to make the most of it and put the brakes on temporarily 🌳☔

Despite the soggy conditions, we still enjoyed our time together. Here’s hoping for some drier days ahead so Finnley can get back to walking for fun rather than simply out of necessity! ☀️🐾❤️

www.walkswithsandra.co.uk

11/06/2026

🌧️🐾 Pablo and I set off for our usual two hour adventure this morning, expecting a dry walk before the rain arrived later in the day. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans and brought the rain forward! ☔😂

Thankfully, much of our route was sheltered by trees and hedgerows 🌳🍃, so we escaped the worst of it. We stopped for a well deserved drink break under the trees, met a very curious and beautiful cow through the hedgerow 🐄👀, and made it back to the van just as the rain really started coming down.

After a good dry off, plenty of cuddles, and a snuggle in the fluffy blankets 🥰🐶🚐, Pablo was ready to head home.

A little rain never stops the adventure! ❤️🐾

www.walkswithsandra.co.uk

10/06/2026

Fabulous fun in the fields to finish the day with Duggie & Flossie 🐾🩵💚😄

10/06/2026

I had a tip-top energy burn hour with Kobe & Scoobs down in Ventnor today, great for my mountain training! 🐾☀️💙.

The contrast to last week could not have been greater! 🌧️😂 Last week I was dressed head to toe in full wet weather gear, while Kobe & Scoobs were absolutely drenched from the tips of their noses right through to the tufts of their tails 🐕💦🐕💦. Not that it bothered them in the slightest! They splashed through every puddle they could find 🌊🐾, shook themselves dry approximately every thirty seconds 🤣, and had an absolute blast.

Thankfully, I had all the right gear on too, so we were perfectly comfortable. But I have to admit, it was a real pleasure to be greeted by clear blue skies, sunshine, and a lovely breeze today ☀️🍃💙. Perfect conditions for a proper energy burning adventure!

We tackled the steep steps around Ventnor 🏃‍♀️⛰️🐾 and both dogs were full of enthusiasm from start to finish. Scoobs’ lead walking was particularly impressive today 🌟❤️. She has made such fantastic progress in reducing her pulling, and it is wonderful to see all the hard work paying off.

I have been working closely with her lovely mum to encourage calm, positive lead walking habits 🥰🐕, and today’s walk was another great example of just how far Scoobs has come. Consistency, patience, and teamwork really do make all the difference 💕👏.

After a full 60 minutes of hills, steps, sniffing, exploring, and plenty of exercise 🚶‍♀️🐕🌿, we all arrived home feeling thoroughly satisfied, nicely tired, and more than ready for lunch! 😋🐾❤️

Well done, Kobe & Scoobs 🌟🐕🐕. You were both superstars today! 🥇💙🐾

🌐 www.walkswithsandra.co.uk

10/06/2026

Next up was lovely Finnley 🐾💙, who joined me for a 30 minute leg stretch around the village 🚶‍♀️🌳☀️.

Finnley was in fine fettle today 😄🐕 and, as always, it was a pleasure to spend time with him. He is another true success story when it comes to building confidence 🌟❤️. Those who have followed his journey will know that he used to be a very nervous and tentative little chap 🥹.

Back then, if he felt we’d gone quite far enough, he would simply put the brakes on 🛑🐾. As I always believe in force free methods, patience, gentle persuasion, positive reinforcement, and good communication 💕, I would take a few steps ahead, offer a little encouragement and a tasty treat, and before long Finnley would come trotting up to me 🦴🐕. He would take his reward, realise everything was absolutely fine, and happily continue on his way 😊.

These days, however, I think Finnley may have worked out his own little system! 😂❤️ Even when he is striding along happily and confidently, he will occasionally stop, turn around, and give me that look 👀🐾. The look that says, “I believe a treat may be due about now, Sandra.” 🤣🦴

I know full well he is playing me, but I rather enjoy our little game 💕. He is never demanding, and it has become a lovely reward based moment that we share during our walks together 🥰🐕. Just a little moment of connection that always makes me smile ❤️.

Today we ventured further than we have ever been before 🌳🌿☀️, which is a wonderful achievement for this clever little boy 🌟🐾. He returned home happy, relaxed, and very pleased with himself 💙🏡🐶.

Well done, Finnley! 🥇🐾❤️

🌐 www.walkswithsandra.co.uk