Me and my dogs
Every month we meet Sussex people and their beloved pets, and as Crufts kicks off we just had to go with a dog lover. Meet Treatment Rooms boss Clare Rogers and her beloved Scottie dogs, Radley and Rebus.
Tell us how you came to have your dogs. What’s the journey behind them?
We had a dog when I was a child so I knew the amount of work that would be involved. And having always lived in the city centre of Brighton I never thought it was fair to have a dog without good outside space. After my marriage broke down in 2006 I continued my weekend walks on the Downs and became more and more aware of dogs. They seemed to be everywhere. Everyone had a dog. I was now living in an apartment on the seafront though, and so continued to dismiss the possibility of having one, but the daily beach walks were full with dog walkers. I felt a heavy message was coming my way! I was working a lot as I had no reason to be home. I was either at work or on holiday. I didn’t realise how out of balance that was until I finally got a dog.
Did you always want Scotties?
No. Once I decided to get a dog I did my research and having listened to advice from vet friend Marc Abraham I knew a dog had to fit my lifestyle and needs. I was in an apartment so didn’t want a big or yappy dog; I needed one that would be hardy and be able to manage a good walk. I had a home in the French Alps at the time and liked the idea of a highland dog, so my choices were the Schnauzer, Tibetan Terrier and the Scottish Terrier. Having a lot of Art Deco furniture and loving the 20s/30s look, at a time when Scotties were most popular, the Scottie won.
Take us through your doggy day
Life is quite different now; I have two Scotties and live outside of Brighton. The day starts with kisses and yoga/doga stretches. We all do our up dog and down dog and after breakfast and a couple of hours’ admin we head into Brighton via an hour at Devils Dyke, Stanmer Park or the beach.
Have either of them got any funny quirks?
Rebus loves people and will always go and say hello and have a talk. Radley seems slightly challenged and chases anything that moves… aeroplanes, kites, tractors. Fearless and stupid.
If they were people, what kind of people would they be?
They are known as the ‘die hard’ breed. They are loyal, stubborn and strong. I met my match.
Doggie dramas?
Rebus swallowed a pebble on Brighton beach. I still have it, known as the £1,000 pebble.It was covered in BBQ food, left on the beach after a hot evening. It was too big to pass or bring up. You know your own dog. He could hardly keep his eyes open and didn’t want to eat so I took him straight to emergency vet (being a Sunday) and the pebble was found after X-ray. He needed surgery to remove if. Of course I burst out crying but he was fine.
Do they come into work at the Treatment Rooms?
Yes! Right now Radley is in a crate in the staff room and Rebus in the back office. I have to split them as they chat! Because of them I keep my salon days short, and if I need to be there longer then I do use a dog walker. They are part of the TR team though. Staff and clients love them and they have been mentioned (positively!) on Tripadvisor.
Best part about having the dogs?
If I didn’t have my dogs I’d feel a huge gap in my life. They’ve taught me how to love again and how to be loved. They’ve given me a softer side. A maternal side I never thought I had.
Clare Rogers
The Treatment Rooms
www.thetreatmentrooms.co.uk
Thanks to Clare Rogers for sharing her doggie day. If you’d like to tell us about your life with your significant furry or fishy friends we’d love to hear from you. Please email us info@titlemedia.co.uk
