Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143501.827.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-164886" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143501.827.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143501.827-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143501.827-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143501.827-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-serious-about-coffee">SERIOUS ABOUT COFFEE</h2>



<p>The Dog Spot is a shining beacon of doggy delights and neon signage on Abingdon&#8217;s high street, bringing fun and community to the town. And while it&#8217;s a grooming parlour, dog boutique and general canine community hang-out, it&#8217;s also a fabulous little café serving top-notch coffee. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-164893" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-2-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-2-400x266.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The barista-made coffee from the Dark Horse Roastery is an artisan departure from the nearby chain coffee shops. To go alongside it you&#8217;ve got pastries, sausage rolls and cakes (that&#8217;s the human side of the counter). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143358.071.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-164885" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143358.071.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143358.071-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143358.071-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143358.071-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Over on the canine side, there&#8217;s all manner of doggy delights from dog cupcakes and biscuits to pork smoothies and goat&#8217;s milk puppacinos (because the goat&#8217;s milk enzymes are good for dog&#8217;s tummies). Come summer it&#8217;s doggy ice cream time and none of it has any rubbish in. The ice cream sundaes (above) are made with goats milks ice cream and vegan cream, beetroot powder and a fruit straw treat, for example. If your dog isn&#8217;t much of a gastro, there&#8217;s the dog nuts and kangaroo sticks. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-grooming-with-heart">DOG GROOMING WITH HEART</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-3.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-164894" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-3-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/image-3-400x266.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All of the groomers at The Dog&#8217;s Spot are qualified and their training is ongoing to refresh and add new skills. The dogs are given more time than at other groomers making the whole experience less stressful for nervous dogs, meaning they can tackle jobs like nail clipping and avoid sedation at the vets. </p>



<p>The owner can stay if that&#8217;s best for the dog or drop and go if they want to get some shopping done. The whole ethos is that this is a happy place for the dogs to hang out (more on that below). The grooming products used are all natural and without parabens or nasties, and groomers will chat through what&#8217;s used and what&#8217;s going to be done &#8211; so no surprise haircuts when you get back from the supermarket.</p>



<p>Clients mostly go for the full groom (two shampoos and condition, full dry, clipping and styling, nails cleaned, ears cleaned), but also they can also do just nail-clipping, wash and blow dry and other treatments that take anywhere from 30-90 minutes depending on the treatment, size of dog and coat. Want to add some canine spa-time? Throw in deep-cleanse facials and Epsom salt baths – no you can&#8217;t book one for yourself! The prices here are super purse-friendly, ranging from £10 for a nail trim and from £55 for the full package. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-don-t-have-to-own-a-dog">YOU DON&#8217;T HAVE TO OWN A DOG!</h2>



<p><a href="https://thedogsspot.co.uk/">The Dog’s Spot</a> is open to all, dog or no dog in tow. Owner Anna Browning says her café is popular with former dog owners who&#8217;ve lost their hound and come in for some cuddles with their cappuccino, but also families who are thinking about having a dog and want to meet some breeds face to nose. Teens who love dogs and don&#8217;t have one at home drop in too. Everyone&#8217;s welcome. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-social">GET SOCIAL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="670" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143740.712.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-164887" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143740.712.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143740.712-800x536.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143740.712-400x268.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In a short space of time, The Dog&#8217;s Spot has become a community space for local dog owners. Its <a href="https://thedogsspot.co.uk/pages/events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekly events</a> include Sunday Pawty Hour sessions when the music goes on and dogs can play in the ball pit while owners chat and share tips. That&#8217;s after the puppies have warmed up with a more gentle social hour: Puppy Social (for puppies aged up to 20 weeks) is 2-3pm every Sunday and Pawty Hour is from 3-4pm.</p>



<p>Puppies all grown up? Check out the twice-weekly Chatty Walk every Tuesday and Sunday at 10am, which involves a walk along the river at Abingdon and then across to the water meadows for a good runaround. It&#8217; perfect for wearing out the hounds and meeting new people from the area. Keep an eye on socials for themed events like the singles walk (your dog&#8217;s your wingman) and Howloween, a dog show and spooky themed fancy dress competition. There are also plans for breed meet-ups. A golden retriever hangout is likely to come first (they like the puppacinos), followed by a sausage dog meet-up later in the summer (it&#8217;s the most popular breed at the pup meets).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leading-brands">LEADING BRANDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143824.928.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-164888" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143824.928.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143824.928-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143824.928-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143824.928-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The boutique at Dog&#8217;s Spot is a dream, selling beds, blankets, comforters, leads, collars, jumpers, fleeces &#8211; and even matching human items if you want to go full mini-me. If you buy a harness, the shop offers a free fitting service so no slipping that lead on a busy road.</p>



<p>The quality and provenance is top-notch too &#8211; we&#8217;re talking collars and leads from Kent-based <a href="https://thestatelyhound.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stately Hound</a>, British-made beds with Italian leather accessories by <a href="https://www.earthbounduk.com/collections/rectangular-beds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earthbound</a>, and fleeces made in Yorkshire. The Dog&#8217;s Spot is all about supporting British and local. A Didcot-based potter makes dog bowls for the shop, and it sells handmade collars and leads from an Oxford-based maker. For treats and poochie gifts, it&#8217;s hard to beat &#8211; plus same-day local delivery is offered for purchases made before 1pm. That&#8217;s better than Amazon darling (not that you can get many of The Dog&#8217;s Spot brands on there anyway!).</p>



<p>The quality of food and treats is uppermost for The Dog&#8217;s Spot. In fact, all the dental treats are actually good for dog’s teeth unlike &#8211; ahem &#8211; some well-known brands. There&#8217;s no bulking agents in the kibble it sells and it also offers raw food plus a range of vegan and natural treats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pawty-time">PAWTY TIME</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143918.437.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-164890" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143918.437.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143918.437-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143918.437-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-25T143918.437-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hey, don&#8217;t let the kids have all the fun &#8211; what about dog parties? And where better than the place that can cater for both humans and pooches in the blink of an eye? Parties and special occasions might be a pooch birthday or creating memories with a dog that&#8217;s in its golden years &#8211; either way you can treat them and their buddies to all manner of good stuff including a doggy afternoon tea, birthday cake, spa hour with Epsom salts bath, massage or facial, party bags or exclusive use of the play area.</p>



<p>It starts at £15 per dog for afternoon tea (tip: the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for dog-lover you know in Oxfordshire). The tea is all served on Anna&#8217;s finest inherited Minton china, no less. What&#8217;s on the cake tiers? Dog peanut butter sandwiches, blueberries, strawberries, puppy dodgers, dog nuts, and teacups of beef smoothie. For now, humans will have to settle for cake and coffee but watch this space for human afternoon tea, coming soon!&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Has that got tails wagging? Check out the <a href="https://thedogsspot.co.uk/">The Dog’s Spot</a>, Abingdon for more. </strong></p>


6 reasons to sniff out The Dog’s Spot in Abingdon

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