All About Animals: From ducks and doggy emotions, to Debbie's disgusting party trick

There’s something rather comforting about coming home to Buckinghamshire after a few days away, especially when “a few days away” involves a deep dive into the emotional lives of animals.

This month I swapped Wendover for the English Riviera, heading down to Torquay for the Emotional Wellbeing in Animals Conference, hosted by Pet Remedy. It brought together some of the brightest minds in animal behaviour, veterinary science and welfare, all united by one simple idea, that how animals feel matters just as much as their physical health.

It was one of those rare events where you come away feeling both inspired and slightly in awe. Experts like Andrew Hale spoke passionately about understanding behaviour through an emotional lens, while talks explored everything from stress in pets to how our own lifestyles impact their wellbeing. One of the biggest takeaways, and something I think many of us can relate to, is that our animals don’t exist in isolation. If our homes are busy, noisy or unpredictable, they feel that too.

There was also a strong focus on practical changes, things we can all do. Simple adjustments like creating safe, quiet resting spaces, sticking to predictable routines, and recognising subtle signs of stress can make a huge difference. It sounds obvious, but in the chaos of daily life it’s easy to forget that our pets are constantly reading the room.

Perhaps the loveliest part, though, was meeting so many people who genuinely care. Not just in a vague, “I love animals” sort of way, but in a deeply committed, roll-your-sleeves-up, let’s-make-things-better kind of way. It was a timely reminder that there’s a whole community out there working tirelessly to improve animals’ lives.

Back on home turf, and on a slightly less glamorous note, life with Debbie continues to keep me grounded. If you ever want a lesson in humility, try owning a dog with a penchant for eating poo.

Yes, really.

My little Chinese rescue has developed what I can only describe as a truly revolting party trick. Walks can quickly turn from peaceful countryside rambles into a full-blown extraction mission, as I attempt to prise something unmentionable from her jaws while maintaining a shred of dignity in front of other dog walkers.

Determined to get to the bottom of it, I spoke to natural health expert Jason Layton from Nature's Pet, who explained that this behaviour, known as coprophagia, is often linked to a gut imbalance, particularly in dogs who’ve had to fend for themselves on the streets.

Since then, we’ve introduced Nature’s Pet GI Care alongside a daily portion of kefir, a natural lactose-free yoghurt, and I have to say, the difference has been remarkable. I’m not claiming Debbie has turned over a completely new leaf, let’s not get carried away, but she is far less interested, which, quite frankly, is a huge relief for everyone involved.

And finally, a wholesome new hobby has entered our household, feeding the ducks along the Wendover Canal.

It started innocently enough, a gentle stroll, a handful of suitable bird food, and suddenly Peter and I have become those people. It’s nesting season, so it feels nice to give the mums and dads-to-be a bit of extra support. That said, a recent trip during the school holidays made it very clear we are not alone in this pursuit. The ducks and swans, quite frankly, looked a little overwhelmed, and not nearly as enthusiastic as we’d hoped. There are only so many snacks one mallard can handle.

It’s also a good moment to gently remind people that bread is actually one of the worst things you can feed ducks. According to the RSPB, bread offers very little nutritional value and can lead to health problems, as well as polluting waterways. Far better options include sweetcorn, oats, peas, chopped lettuce or specially formulated bird food.

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