Pets

Michelle, Rebecca and Tom Ditton Below right, Michelle has sourced as many British producers as she has been able to find

Wipe-clean dog leads idea brought about pet shop idea for family

Words and photos by Rosie Redwood A NEW pet shop has opened in Wilton.

Lucky Leads is an inspiring shop filled with treats, bandanas, toys, food and even pet-themed scarves and earrings, aiming to provide pets (and their humans) with natural treats and products that won’t cost the earth.

I went to Wilton to meet Michelle Ditton who has set up the shop with her husband Tom.

The shop is so beautifully set out you initially think you are walking into a gift shop. Walls are lined with stylish wooden panels, buckets of delicious looking snacks are neatly set out on wooden shelves, it takes a while to register that everything is for four footed creatures.

Michelle was born and bred in Salisbury, she used to be a bus driver for Reds and then, after her daughter, Rebecca, was born her life took a change:

“I went back to dog walking, when Covid came along, my work continued as I walked the dogs belonging to key workers. Hygiene was a priority, I was handling so many different leads we were worried about spreading infection, so I started making wipe-clean leads.”

These leads are bright and colourful. Michelle makes them on her kitchen table from BioThane, which feels like leather, but has a PVC coating which makes it easy to wipe clean. All Michelle’s clients wanted one of her leads, they were so popular, she decided to open a shop.

It seems that whenever Michelle is faced with a problem, she takes it upon herself to sort it. Unhappy with the dog snacks she was giving the dogs she decided to source her own.

“There are many affordable natural treats out there, and I have sourced as many British producers as I could find,” she said.

There is colourful bunting throughout the shop – I soon discovered that these are locally made bandanas for dogs. Michelle also has locally made little bags for dog snacks:

“They stop people’s pockets from getting crusty from old treats!”.

Michelle and Tom’s enthusiasm is wonderful and they are very keen to listen to the residents and locals of Wilton to hear what they want. “Already we have been asked to stock food for bearded dragons, snakes and specialised turtle food.”

With Christmas around the corner Lucky Leads is full of fun things to give your dog loving friends. Suppliers include Anco, Poppy’s Picnic, Jane & Su for beautiful fabric makes, Rosewood and much more.

Lucky Leads, 14 West Street, SP2 0DF www.luckyleads.co.uk

Could you give a forever home to one of these potential best friends?

DAISY Breed: French Bulldog Age: 8+ Sex: Female

Daisy is a sweet little lady, almost nine years old and is looking for companionship in a loving, relaxing home.

She struggles when left alone so would love her new family to be around most of the day to help her settle.

Daisy could live with another calm dog of a similar size after successful introductions at the centre, she has also previously lived with a cat and hamster and could do so again.

She would prefer a home with calm, sensible children aged 12 and above and is deaf and has struggled with housetraining so would benefit from patient owners who can work through this with her. For this reason Daisy will also need her own, secure garden.

BOOGIE Breed: Beagle Age: 8+ Sex: Male

Boogie loves food a little too much and often becomes uncomfortable at the possibility of sharing, so it is advised any new home isn’t open plan and he can have a room such as a utility of his own for mealtimes.

Typical of his breed he is quite the scavenger! Boogie is happy to have dog friends out on walks but would ideally be the only animal in the home so he can have all the attention.

He would love his own garden so he can continue his hobby of sunbathing, but he would prefer a quieter set up so would be better suited to an adult-only home.

For more details about all of the dogs featured, log on to www.dogstrust.org.uk, or contact the Salisbury Dogs Trust centre on 0303 003 0000

BUFFI Breed: German Shepherd cross Age: 8+ Sex: Female

Beautiful Buffi is a sweet older lady who is looking for a calm and quiet adult only home. She’s an anxious girl who can find things quite overwhelming but once she’s built a bond, she’s a loyal companion who loves to be with people.

She struggles being left so would love her new owners to be around for company and cuddles.

She is sound sensitive so a quiet home environment away from lots of hustle and bustle would be ideal. She could potentially live with another dog pending successful mixes at the centre.

ARCHIE Breed: Crossbreed Age: Two Sex: Male

Archie is looking for an experienced adult-only home, with owners who are used to a sensitive dog and has the time to give him the chance to turn into the most amazing dog.

He could share his new home with a confident calm dog, that does enjoy playing, after successful meets. Archie has shown previous guarding behaviours so is not suitable to be around children, but is having training to help him feel more relaxed around resources and reduce the fear of them being taken away.

6 BEAUTIFUL KENNEL CLUB REGISTERED GREAT DANE PUPPIES, 2 boys and 4 girls , mantle and harlequin . For information 07767 862353

STAFFY PUPS KC REG. Chipped & jabbed. Ready now £1,350. 07706 874466

MUCKY PUPS DOG GROOMER Friars Moor Sturminster Newton Contact Gloria 07784 332682 muckypupsfrance@yahoo.com http://muckypups-bee-online.com 15 years experience in dog grooming

ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPS. Liver and White. 4 bitches and 4 dogs. Kennel club reg. Legal doc with certificate. First vaccination and micro-chipped. Ready after 24/11/22. 3 generation pedigree. Would make good workers or family pets. Further details and pictures 07932 061202. Westbury, Wiltshire. £850

Companions at Peace Pet Cremation

Independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. Collection Service Farewell Room Out of Hours Service provided Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border Contact us on: 07900 654 440 www.companionsatpeace.co.uk