The Herby Hound

18/02/2026

I’m working on something.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been talking about first aid - the pause, the assessment, knowing when to act and when to stop.

Because the truth is, most of us don’t panic because something is serious.

We panic because we’re unsure.

So I’ve been building a proper structure around that.

It’s called𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆.

And it is absolutely 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀.

You do not need:

• Herbal knowledge
• A cupboard full of ingredients
• Experience making remedies
• A medical background

This is designed for ordinary dog owners who simply want to feel more capable when small health wobbles happen.

Inside, we’ll build confidence step by step - learning how to make simple, safe preparations like poultices, infused oils and gentle supports - alongside clear guidance on when to use them and when to seek help.

I’ll be opening this first as a pilot membership to test it out.

That means:

• A small founding group
• A reduced monthly rate

Doors open soon.

If you’ve ever thought,
“I just wish I knew what to do first…”

You won’t need prior knowledge.
You’ll just need a willingness to learn.

More details soon!!

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

17/02/2026

There’s something very grounding about the sound of a dog settling for the night.

The sigh.
The circle.
The final dramatic flop.

Dogs don’t carry the day the way we do. They don’t replay conversations or worry about tomorrow’s list. When the day is done, it’s done.

And maybe that’s the most herbal lesson of all.

Herbs teach us rhythm.
Dogs teach us presence.

This evening, take your cue from the one already asleep at your feet.

Circle once.
Exhale properly.
Let today be finished 💚

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

17/02/2026

Here’s something interesting to notice:

Some dogs seem to live with their noses permanently in the water bowl.
Others barely touch it, even after a walk.

And most of us don’t think much about it - we just refill the bowl and carry on.

But from an energetic point of view, thirst can sometimes give us little clues about what’s going on inside.

Dogs who seem constantly thirsty may be dealing with internal heat or dryness somewhere in their system.

While dogs who drink very little can sometimes lean towards patterns of dampness or sluggishness, where fluids don’t seem to move or get used as efficiently.

Herbs behave this way too.

Some herbs help cool or moisten when things feel overheated or dry, while others gently help shift heaviness or support better fluid balance.

Which is another reason one herbal approach won’t suit every dog with the same symptom.

So here’s something gentle to notice this week:

Is your dog a big drinker, or more of a sip-and-walk-away type?

Small daily habits often tell us more about our dogs than the bigger problems we worry about.

And herbal energetics is really just about learning how to notice those quiet patterns.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

16/02/2026

If you’ve ever looked at your dog’s bowl and thought,
“I just wish I could make this a little healthier…” - this is for you.

The Benefit Bowl Booster Kit is a simple, food-first system that shows you how to gently upgrade your dog’s everyday meals using small, thoughtful additions.

You don’t need to change their food.
You don’t need expensive supplements.
You don’t need a degree in canine nutrition.

You just need three simple spoons.

Using the 3 Spoon Upgrade System, you’ll learn how to layer:

✨ A base for digestion and hydration
✨ A boost for targeted nutrition
✨ A finishing touch for flavour and interest

All using familiar, everyday foods.

Why people love it:

🐾 It works with kibble, wet, raw, or homemade
🐾 It removes guesswork
🐾 It feels practical and doable
🐾 It turns “just feeding” into something more intentional

It’s not about perfection.
It’s about making the bowl you’re already feeding work a little harder — in a calm, confident way.

Small spoons.
Clear structure.
Better bowls.

If that sounds like something you’d love to try, the kit is just £7 - link in bio.

Here for better bowls!

Andrea xx

16/02/2026

Snow this morning…
13 degrees just a couple of days ago.

No wonder we feel slightly confused - and our dogs do too.

When temperatures swing wildly like this, a dog’s body is constantly adjusting: circulation, coat density, energy use, even appetite. That back-and-forth can be surprisingly tiring.

One winter warmer idea we haven’t talked about yet?

𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺-𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

When it’s suddenly icy again:

👉Don’t launch straight into full-speed zoomies from the front door.

👉Give muscles a few gentle minutes to warm up.

👉After the walk, allow a gradual return to indoor warmth rather than straight to a hot radiator spot.

These transition moments help the body adapt more smoothly when the weather can’t make up its mind.

Winter isn’t just about cold.
It’s about contrast.

And supporting dogs through contrast often comes down to pacing - not pushing.

A steady approach for an unsteady season 💚

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

14/02/2026

Before cupboards full of products and plastic tubs, people used what was growing around them.

One of the simplest herbal first-aid preparations?
A poultice.

Take a fresh leaf of something like plantain (we've talked about this gorgeous herb before) - crush or chew it slightly to release the juices - and apply it directly to the area needing support (for minor, external issues only).

Traditionally, plantain poultices have been used to:

✅soothe minor cuts and scrapes
✅calm insect bites or stings
✅help draw out splinters or irritation
✅ support itchy patches

It’s practical. Immediate. Grounded.

Of course, it’s not a replacement for veterinary care when something is serious - but knowing how to use a fresh leaf in the moment is empowering.

Sometimes first aid isn’t complicated.
Sometimes it’s green, humble, and growing under your feet!!

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

13/02/2026

I love this!!

382 likes, 24 comments. “What's your favorite herb? Can you name twenty? Here's an exciting way to grow lots of herbs in a small space! I bought this cheap hanging shoe storage rack trom Argos for about £8. Hanging shoe storage racks are brillant for growing plants in if you don't have much growi...

13/02/2026

If there’s one simple thing you can do for your dog today, it’s this:

👉 Slow the walk down.

Sniffing isn’t just “having a wander.” It’s how dogs process the world. A few unhurried minutes of nose-to-ground exploration can be more mentally satisfying than a longer, brisk march around the block.

Sniffing:

🐶engages their brain
🐶lowers frustration
🐶helps them feel more settled afterwards
🐶uses energy in a different (and often more helpful) way

It’s enrichment you don’t have to buy, prep, or organise.

Sometimes the most effective support for your dog isn’t in a jar or a bowl.

It’s at the end of their nose 💚

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

12/02/2026

This evening’s herb spotlight goes to thyme.

Most people think of it as something that belongs on roast vegetables… but thyme has a long history of being valued for much more than flavour.

Traditionally, thyme has been associated with:

*supporting the respiratory system

*helping the body during seasonal sniffles

*gently cleansing and freshening

It’s aromatic, warming without being aggressive, and quietly strengthening.

And here’s something lovely - even in colder months, thyme often keeps going in the garden. Low, steady, resilient. It doesn’t fuss. It just carries on.

A very winter sort of herb, really.

Small. Strong. Dependable

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

12/02/2026

As dogs age, their bodies change.

Digestion can slow.
Absorption isn’t always as efficient.
Appetite can dip - or become a little unpredictable.

And this is where a thoughtful bowl makes a difference.

Not bigger portions.
Not richer food.

But targeted additions that help the body use what it’s already getting.

Gentle boosters can:

✅support digestion

✅add micronutrients that may be lacking

✅bring interest back to the bowl

✅offer support without overwhelming the system

For senior dogs especially, less is often more - but more intentional.

The goal isn’t to complicate things.
It’s to make the bowl work a little harder, so their body doesn’t have to 💚

Here for better bowls!
Andrea 🌿

11/02/2026

Most of us don’t think much about first aid for our dogs.

Until something small happens.

A paw that’s suddenly sore.
A patch of skin that looks angrier than it did yesterday.
A tummy that’s clearly not quite right.

It’s rarely dramatic.
It’s just… enough to make you stop and think.

And in that moment, the hardest part isn’t usually the situation itself.

It’s that little flicker of doubt:
“Should I do something? Or leave it? What’s sensible here?”

Good first aid isn’t about rushing in with remedies.

It’s about knowing how to pause.
How to look properly.
How to support without overdoing it.
And how to recognise when it’s time to get help.

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about that middle ground lately - the space between doing nothing and doing too much.

It’s an important one.

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿

11/02/2026

Yes - you can rescue herbs if things haven’t gone quite to plan.

Left them drying a bit too long?
They’re crumbly instead of lovely and leafy?

That doesn’t mean they’re useless.

Over-dried herbs often lose some aroma, but they can still be:

👉powdered and used gently

👉infused into oils

👉added to baths, rinses, or external preparations

👉used where subtlety matters more than strength

Another common one: herbs that look a bit sad, faded, or “meh”.
Still often perfectly usable - just not at their showiest.

Herbal work isn’t about perfection.
It’s about working with what you have, learning as you go, and understanding that plants are surprisingly forgiving.

Most “mistakes” are really just detours. I have a cupboard full of lessons learned!!

Keep it herby,
Andrea 🌿