TED N BEARS RECOMMENDATIONS
We know it can be hard to find just the right service or place to stay with your dog. So, we decided to make a recommendation page of all the services we have used or places we have stayed with Lola Bear.
As some of your maybe aware Lola Bear is not the most straightforward of dogs. She is a Romanian Rescue who is predominately of Livestock Guardian Breeding, therefore she has a very high prey drive and is capable of jumping 6ft fences from a standstill, she was originally found on the streets and put in a kill shelter, before being saved by a rescuer in Romania. She was originally adopted by a family in Devon, so was brought over to the UK in December 2021. Unfortunately, the original family dog attacked Lola Bear quiet badly, she was only in this home for 4 days when she was moved to a foster home in Barry Island Wales. Where in January 2022 we were very honoured and lucky to be given the opportunity to become her forever home, family! All of this had happened to her before she was even 1 year old.
As you can imagine this has had quiet some impact on her. Then unfortunately she became reactive in February 2023 not only to her family, loved ones and friends but to other dogs, noisy vehicles, buses you name it... it became a problem.... In August 2023 she was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, the vets think her reactivity began due to her starting to feel unwell and vulnerable. It has taken almost 2 years to get her medication levels correct; we have endured a lot in that time. She needs daily steroids and an injection every 4 weeks to survive. Turns out she is very sensitive/allergic to prednisolone, the steroid normally used to treat Addison's Disease. So, she has to have hydrocortisone medication twice a day. During all of this we ended up going to see an Internal Medicine Consultant who subsequently diagnosed Lola Bear with Chronic Gut Disease.
So, we have to be very careful with who we choose or what services we use for Lola Bear.
Dog Walker/ Dog Sitter: Feather and Fur Pet Service - Ceylan is a very kind, patient and caring person. She has taken the time to get to know Lola Bear and her quirks/ reactivity. Ceylan came to do a "Meet n Greet" with Lola Bear, then she came out on a number of walks with both Lola Bear and I to enable Lola Bear to become comfortable around her. Lola Bear loves going off walking with Ceylan, I don't even so much as get a "Bye Mum" or a look back if I’m here when they go off their adventure together.
Physiotherapist: Canine Actif - Artaine is a very gentle, calm and patient person. She accepts Lola's anxieties around being touched, being in different locations and Lola's general quirkiness. Artaine takes note of Lola's limitations and works round them with ease making both of us feel comfortable and confident when Lola Bear is being treated. Lola Bear started out receiving 1 to 1 physiotherapy at home, once Lola Bear had progressed enough, we attended a Canine Conditioning Course over a 6-week period at Artine's premises and now Lola Bear has progressed again on to the Canine CrossFit Course. Lola Bear really enjoys being around Artine.
Places to stay:
Dulas Glamping, Machynlleth, Mid Wales - This was the first place we ever took Lola Bear on holiday. Let’s just say Lola Bear loves it here. She settles straight in; she is always very relaxed and very happy throughout her stays at Dulas Glamping. She loves to carry out her perimeter checks around the 1/4-acre garden and watch over the beautiful hills surrounding the shepherd’s hut. The shepherds hut has a 6"4 high stock fence fully enclosed garden, the car park area also is fully enclosed with a fencing and a 5-bar gate. The shepherd’s hut is located within 400 acres of working farmland. Should you have a reactive dog like Lola Bear livestock will be move away from the shepherd’s hut during your stay (this is not possible during lambing season). There are plenty of walk directly from the shepherd’s hut, locally and of course there is loads to explore in mid Wales itself.
The Old Stables at Kipscombe, North Devon - We visited The Old Stables in October 2025. The Old Stables is very welcoming and has a lovely homely feel to it. Again, Lola Bear settled well here and was quite relaxed in the property.
There is everything you could want and more at The Old Stables, a welcome hamper for the dog and humans, dog towels, bowls, beds, throws, toys, leads and so much more. The Old Stables has an enclosed courtyard garden directly off the property as well as the use of the orchard just a stone’s throw from the property. The orchard is enclosed with approximately 4ft fencing, we let Lola Bear wonder freely in here (with a 10m long line just in case her prey drive took over). There are a few walks directly from The Old Stables but you’re not far from plenty of places to explore being right on Dartmoor.
The Lodge - Abercamlais Estate, Near Brecon - Small but perfectly formed. The Lodge was a perfect location for our adventures around Brecon. There was enough space for Lola Bear to relax and spread out on her rather large bed. The garden has three sections to it, the first is a small courtyard type space which has a low fence as you enter the main pedestrian gate, the second area has a huge stone-built wall easily 7ft high min with a thick conifer hedge down the middle separating the garden. This area was a great size for Lola Bear to run about and play safely. The third area again was mostly enclosed by the stone wall. There is a section of lower fencing at approximately 4ft. Lola Bear again had plenty of room for zoomies and playtime in here but we did not leave her unattended due to the lower fence (prey drive considerations). You are allowed to walk round the estate grounds whilst staying at the property, again a beautiful location to walk.
(We booked our stay here through holidaycottages.com as the Lodge does not have its own website)
Dove Cottage, Llanelli - Beautiful property in a beautiful location. Dove Cottage is a very well-equipped luxury holiday home. Although we have not stayed here with Lola, we are very well acquainted with the property as it is just a stone's throw from our house. Dove Cottage has a fully enclosed 6ft high fenced garden. The property is located on a working small holding. We would happily stay here with Lola.