TES MacDonald

30/05/2026

Hot week! Long week! Hard week!

Q. How are four day weeks longer than five day ones 🫣
A. They're not when they're all seven days anyway... 🤦🏻

This week however is different. Falling at months end, following a Bank Holiday is par for the course and not a problem. However, a sense of self preservation and a realisation that there is more to life, means that tomorrow has to be a day off. So seven days work, had to be compressed into five. We managed, although the admin has taken a hit and will require an early start and extra coffee Monday 😬😂

It's nice to be back at full speed in some ways. This year has been a little odd in terms of work, but at the moment it's all back to normal. I can't say my aging body agrees, but needs must 🤷🏻

Nell has an important appointment next weekend for Hero paws, so typically, she decided to have a diva moment, just when we didn't need it. One phone call and the amazing team at Cross Heights Truck Parts Ltd stepped up to help, dropping everything to ensure she'll be fine. These guys have been brilliant ever since we first found her there and as a family business much like ours, they are an absolute pleasure to deal with.

When I dropped her in this morning, they even loaned me the company limo to travel back in. Young Tom warned me it was a babe magnet, especially in the sunshine. I didn't believe him obviously, but actually turned out to be correct. Trouble is now, I need to go home and not sure Nic will be as welcoming to my passenger 🫣🫣

Today is the old man's birthday and I'm pretty sure wherever he is, there will be a Bacardi and Coke. I'll be raising a glass to the real boss later 🙏🏻🥃

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, whatever you're doing.
Mac

26/05/2026

🌞🌞Sunshine sale 🌞🌞

25/05/2026

It's been a couple of looooong weeks with a lot happening and not much breathing space, so we thought we'd have a catch up.

So anyone who has been to us recently will have noticed we have a few access issues due to inconsiderate parking. I'm hoping we've ironed this out, we'll see tomorrow.

Some big jobs alongside the normal this last couple of weeks. New cables on a double deck re**er is a first for us and by no means easy for a 50 something knackered specimen like me. But we nailed it and I'm pleased we've done it to add to our resume.
The down side was me cleaning for most of the Bank Holiday weekend, but it goes with the territory.

Loaded brake testing is now the standard for any decent professional operators, but the Shylock's in rentals and big operators still cling on to EBPMS as a get out clause 🙄 It's fine till a spring brake fails and it's got a PG9, but it's not our problem so 🤷🏻

Thank you to all those customers who want what we offer. It's a narrowing field, but this old dog is too old to learn 'new tricks'

We have amazing customers, suppliers and cooperation from professionals who work in partnership with us at times.

So...
We hope you had a great Bank Holiday weekend in the sun. It's been business as usual here, but at least the sun has come out to play and tomorrow is a new week, but Tuesday already 🫣😂

Mac

24/05/2026

This will be a great evening in good company for veterans and civvies alike, and all for a brilliant cause 🇬🇧🫡

Welcome to The Mess Club We are bringing the prestige, the discipline, and the unmistakable atmosphere of the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess directly to civilian street. This is an experience led by our Former RSM, these nights are steeped in military tradition, sharp wit, and high standards....

18/05/2026

Please share this far and wide, we NEED your help - 🙏🏻

Monday morning. New week. Same fight. 🖤🐾

We are going to say this honestly now because pretending everything is fine helps nobody.

Hero Paws is under enormous pressure.

Not because we are wasting money. Not because we are sitting on huge salaries, fancy offices, or glossy partnerships.

But because every single day we are absorbing the cases others walk away from.

The retired police dogs with nowhere left to turn. The military dogs needing rehabilitation. The displaced working dogs facing uncertainty. The behavioural cases deemed “too difficult”. The families being told there are no funds available. The veterans trying desperately to keep their dogs alive.

And every time, the message comes to us.

We are now supporting and impacting the lives of hundreds of working dog families across the UK.

Hundreds.

That means emergency vet bills. Medication. Rehabilitation. Behaviour support. Equipment. Transport. Palliative care. Welfare packs. Crisis intervention. And sometimes physically stepping in to stop dogs losing their homes, or their lives.

What people need to understand is this:

There is no hidden safety net behind Hero Paws.

No government funding. No military funding. No police funding. No giant corporate machine carrying the weight.

Just a veteran-led team and a public community that cares enough to stand beside these dogs when their service is over.

And right now, we need people to stand up with us.

Not next month. Not “when things are easier”. Now.

Because if organisations like Hero Paws disappear, these dogs do not suddenly become safe. The need does not vanish. The emergencies do not stop.

It simply means more families hear the words: “Sorry… there’s nothing more we can do.”

We refuse to accept that as the outcome.

So this Monday morning, this is our call to arms.

Share the posts. Speak about us. Fundraise for us. Partner with us. Support the shop. Tell people these dogs exist. Help us hold the line.

Because these dogs served this country without hesitation. And they deserve a country willing to stand up for them in return.

Boots on. Heads up. Let’s move. 🐾

16/05/2026

83 years ago today, 617 Sqd were preparing for one of the most dangerous and daring bombing raids of WWII

Operation Chastise, commonly known as the Dambusters Raid left RAF Scampton on the night of 16th May 1943 led by 24 year old Wing Commander Guy Gibson. 133 men aboard 19 Lancaster Bombers set off to bomb the great dams of the Ruhr Valley, The Möhne & The Eder. Both dams were breached using the now famous but at the time experimental, Barnes Wallis 'bouncing-bombs'

The operation was deemed a huge success and a devastating blow to Germany, but the cost was high. 8 aircraft and 53 men were lost, a further 3 captured as Prisoners of War. Many were still just teenagers

Lest we forget 🌺

16/05/2026

Paid to protect and serve, not to be used as pawns in politics and power games!!!

Whichever side you choose, remember they DON'T have a choice, this is their job. Give their service the respect it deserves 🇬🇧

Today, London will be loud.
Emotions will run high.
Opinions will clash.
And across the country, many people will be watching closely.

But this is not a political post.

Hero Paws will never tell people what side to stand on politically. That choice belongs to you.

What we will say is this:

Please be safe.
Look after one another.
Look after the emergency services.
And remember the animals standing in the middle of it all.

The police dogs.
The mounted horses.
The specialist search dogs.
The animals deployed into crowds, noise, fear, tension and uncertainty because we as humans choose to put them there.

They do not understand politics.
They do not understand protest.
They do not understand division.

They simply trust the person holding the lead or the reins.

No matter what your views are today, please remember there is a living, breathing animal behind the uniform. An animal with no voice in any of this.

And to every officer, medic, firefighter, responder and member of the public trying to keep others safe today — take care of yourselves and each other.

The United Kingdom feels like it is standing at a turning point in many ways right now.
Whatever happens next, humanity must come first.

Stay safe, Britain. 🐾🇬🇧