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The best kids' days out this Halloween

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10 of the best Halloween costumes for dogs that are spooky yet adorable

It's an annual tradition to take my sons Odhran, 9, and Reuben, 6, pumpkin picking. We've been doing it since Odhran was three months old, and it's been remarkable to see how pumpkin patches have grown into huge attractions over those years. Where once, you wandered around, picked a pumpkin, paid and left. Now, pumpkin picking can be a whole day out, with Insta-friendly props, food and drink offerings and more.

We usually go pumpkin picking during the day. But this year, we tried something a bit different, and took the boys on an atmospheric Saturday night Halloween adventure to :a[Tulleys Farm]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/the-best-kids-days-out-this-halloween-and-half-term/' } in West Sussex. Here's all you need to know...

Tulleys Pumpkin Nights Festival (not to be confused with Tulleys terrifying Shocktober Fest, which is located a little further down the road).

Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PE

On arrival you enter a square where you can grab a wheelbarrow and browse dozens of different types of pumpkins and gourds from knobbly ones to warty ones of all different shapes and sizes. Overhead, warm festoon lights bring a cosy atmosphere, and there's an American Western vibe to the surroundings. As you leave the square and wander around Pumpkin Village, you'll find several street food vendors, selling burgers, hot dogs, loaded fries and hot doughnuts. There's also a charming cafe to grab a pumpkin spice latte, and you can toast marshmallows.

In a large covered bar, you'll find a selection of cocktails, beers, wine and soft drinks. Live music is performed on stage. When we visited there were two male singers on guitar, dressed like cowboys, performing covers of popular songs.

Enjoy the crisp Autumn air as you stroll around the Woodland Walk, where colourful lights sweep across the water. You'll come across creepy sets, neon pumpkins, and lurking skeletons (nothing too scary for little ones). At the end of this, you'll come to the pumpkin field, where, under the shimmer of moonlight, you can choose your perfect pumpkin to purchase and take home.

There are fun backdrops and more than 30 picturesque photo opportunities throughout the attraction, and roaming halloween characters will be happy to pose for pictures. There's also a 33 metre high Observation Wheel.

Adult tickets £12.95 to £15.95, child (2 -13yrs) £12.95 to £15.95. Free car parking. Book your tickets :a[here]{href='https://www.pumpkinfarm.co.uk/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5I-q7_KViQMVyZdQBh0xKQigEAAYASAAEgIRbfD_BwE' }

**For an idea of what you'll spend there:**

Burgers - £9 to £11 (veggie options available)

Marshmallows for toasting - £3.50 for three

Tulleys is about an hour's drive from London.

The closest train stations are Three Bridges Railway Station - on the London to Brighton line. To continue the journey, take a taxi (approx 5 mins). Or East Grinstead Railway Station. To continue the journey, take a taxi (approx 12 mins)

The Metrobus 84 service runs between Crawley, Three Bridges and Tulleys Farm. Find out more :a[here]{href='https://images-metrobus.passenger-website.com/downloads/TULLEYS%20FARM%20TT%20FOR%20SHOCKTOBER%20FEST%202024%20ONE%20PAGE.pdf' }

## Here's a look at what you can expect...

The farm where you can pick pumpkins under moonlight

Here at Take a Break Pets, we LOVE treating our animals, especially at Christmastime, so if you're up for spoiling your fluffs as much as we are, you should get them a pet Advent calendar to get them involved in the countdown to the big day. Your good boy or girl will feel like they've already been visited by Santa Paws when there are new treats to look forward to every day in December.

We love waking up and opening an Advent calendar every morning in the lead-up to Christmas, so why should our pets miss out on the fun? After all, our fur babies are a huge part of our family and deserve to be treated just like our own children. Just think of an Advent calendar for your furry friend as a cute pre-Christmas :a[pet gift]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/best-gifts-pets/' } that will help everyone in your household get ready for Yuletide fun.

## Best pet Advent calendars at a glance:

**• Best dog Advent calendar overall:** Pets at Home Christmas All Kinds of Treats Advent Calendar for Dogs – :a[View on Pets at Home]{href='https://www.petsathome.com/product/pets-at-home-christmas-12-days-of-advent-calendar-dogs/7152004P' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}  
**• Best cat Advent calendar overall:** Pets at Home All Kinds Of Treats Cat Advent Calendar – :a[View on Pets at Home]{href='https://www.petsathome.com/product/Pets_at_Home_All_Kinds_Of_Treats_Cat_Advent_Calendar/7152005P' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}  
**• Best small animal Advent calendar overall:** Pets at Home Christmas Small Animal Advent Calendar – :a[View on Pets at Home]{href='https://www.petsathome.com/product/pets-at-home-christmas-small-animal-advent-calendar/7151638P' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}

Advent calendars for pets are filled with scrumptious treats for your pet that are completely safe and non-toxic. Most come packed with mouthwatering festive-flavoured goodies that are sure to get their tail wagging. However, just like how human Advent calendars can now come packed with more than just chocolate (think make-up and candles), the odd Advent calendar for animals can be filled with fun toys and :a[festive-themed clothing]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-christmas-jumpers/' } and accessories that are guaranteed to be a hit with both you and your hound.

There are plenty of animal calendars out there to spoil your canine companion and feline friend, as well as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs, too! To help you decide which one to get your fluff, we've found all the best pet Advent calendars for cats, dogs and small animals so everyone can take part in December's festivities.

## Best dog Advent calendars {#h-best-dog-advent-calendars}

## Best cat Advent calendars {#h-the-best-cat-advent-calendars}

## Best small animal Advent calendars {#h-the-best-small-animal-advent-calendars}

## How we chose the best pet Advent calendars

All of these Advent calendars for pets have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered value for money, treat variety and ingredient quality in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching Advent calendars for dogs, cats and small pets to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.

## Are pet Advent calendars safe for all types of pets?

As Advent calendars for animals are tailor-made for consumption by our furry friends, the treats behind each door are safe. However, if your dog, cat or other small pet happens to have a sensitive stomach, allergies or dietary intolerances, you should always review the ingredients list to ensure there’s nothing inside that might not agree with them.

Some Advent calendars for pets aren’t made for young animals under three months or six months, unless specifically otherwise specified so it’s always worth looking at the recommended minimum age if you're buying a calendar for a puppy, kitten or baby small animal.

## Can I make a homemade pet Advent calendar?

If you're unsure whether an advent calendar would be suitable, either due to ingredients or your animal's age, you can always get a fill-your-own advent calendar to fill with your companion's favourite treats. That way, you can put in treats that you know they can have and are sure they like as well. The best thing about these types of calendars is that they can often be reused year after year too.

You could go one step further and even have a go at making your own doggy treats if you're feeling creative. And, of course, you don't have to just put food in a DIY pet Advent calendar, you can shop around for festive toys and Christmas :a[pet clothing]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-clothes-for-pet-dog-cat/' } to make your furry friend's countdown to the big day that little bit more special.

## When do Advent calendars for pets go on sale?

As you’ll see from our list, a lot of the big brands have already released their pet Advent calendar offerings for this year, including Pets at Home, Lily’s Kitchen, Pooch & Mutt and Scrumbles. While a lot of Advent calendars for animals are released from the middle of September, the are some retailers that bring out their ranges throughout October and into November.

We know Christmas may seem like it’s a while away and that it’s too early to be thinking about Advent calendars, but trust us, it’ll soon roll around. All the best animal Advent calendars sell out quickly so if you want to make sure your furry friend can get their paws on one, you’ll want to snap up your favourite while you can.

_:a[Rosie Floyd]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/rosie-floyd/' } is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers._

Best pet Advent calendars: tried & tested

Tried & tested by us: 19 best pet Advent calendars to treat your furry friend to for 2024

**_Whatever your symptoms, we’ve got the expert advice to tackle them_**

From night sweats to weight gain, Dr Louise Newson, physician and menopause specialist, tells you everything you need to know about how to cope…

In my experience, psychological symptoms can be the most difficult. Your hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone work throughout your brain and help to regulate your mood and emotions, so when levels fall you can be more prone to anxiety, depression and irritability.

If you experience a negative change in your mental health and suspect it could be a result of perimenopause or menopause (if it occurs alongside other, more easily recognisable menopause symptoms, for example), then it’s important to speak to your GP.

HRT – hormone replacement therapy – is the gold standard treatment for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms and can be started as soon as you recognise you’re having symptoms. Ideally, the hormones are prescribed separately so the right dose and type are given to each woman. A hormone blood test is not usually needed to make the diagnosis – recording symptoms on a questionnaire, such as the one on our free balance app, can be useful to help make the diagnosis.

Some women will see an improvement in symptoms within a few weeks – if your symptoms are not improving after a few months, then it is likely your dose or type of HRT needs changing.

The menopause doesn’t need to spell the end of your sex life, but many women have reduced libido. This can be due to reducing hormone levels and can improve with HRT, often with testosterone too. Symptoms such as joint pain, feeling tired, low motivation, weight gain and night sweats can all contribute to reduced libido. Irritability and mood changes can lead to relationship difficulties, too.

Low hormone levels during perimenopause and menopause can thin the tissues in your vagina, leaving it dry, itchy and inflamed. Vaginal dryness can be one of the most painful symptoms, yet the least talked about. Urinary symptoms such as passing urine more frequently, cystitis, urinary incontinence and urine infections can all be common. These symptoms can improve with using vaginal hormones – usually as a cream, gel or pessary – which can be used whether you take HRT or not.

Hot flushes are a common symptom and night sweats can make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep. HRT corrects the hormone deficiency and should improve hot flushes and night sweats. Wearing thinner layers of cotton clothing to keep you cool can be beneficial. Alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods can exacerbate hot flushes, particularly before bed – and if you smoke, now is the time to quit as studies show smokers have more severe flushes.

Exercise releases endorphins and can help with low mood and maintaining a healthy weight, but one of the most crucial benefits is that exercise helps to strengthen our bones. Menopausal women have a higher risk than men of developing osteoporosis, where bones lose strength and break more easily. You should combine weight-bearing exercise (jogging, dancing or tennis) with muscle strengthening exercise (yoga, Pilates or weights). Don’t feel like you must rush out and join the gym – even a gentle walk around the park is a start.

There are many reasons why you may become prone to weight gain. When oestrogen levels fall during menopause, your body makes more fat cells which produce a weak type of oestrogen. You might also be fatigued, less likely to exercise and find yourself comfort eating because you’re tired. Avoid highly processed, fatty, sugary foods. Try a Mediterranean diet with fresh fruit and veg, lean meat and ‘good’ fats like olive oil and avocados. Many women tell me they drink more alcohol to try to ‘numb’ their symptoms and help them sleep, but alcohol is just empty calories and can disrupt your sleep cycle.

• Dr Louise is author of the new, revised and updated _The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause_, and is touring the country with her informative and entertaining theatre show _Menopause and Hormones: The Great Debate_. Head to drlouisenewsonlive.com for tickets.

How to manage your menopause

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching, otherwise known as bruxism, can cause face and jaw pain, clicking jaw joints and damage to both teeth and enamel.

The causes of bruxism can vary and it’s not always clear why teeth grinding happens. However, it is commonly considered to be a consequence of stress and anxiety, and is often associated with sleep problems such as snoring and sleep apnoea, as it happens mostly at night. It has also been linked to certain medications including certain types of antidepressants.

Some people will experience symptoms such as face, neck, jaw and shoulder pain, restless sleep and damage to their teeth – ranging from signs of wear to increased sensitivity.

If your dentist thinks you might have bruxism, they will examine your mouth for signs of wear and more substantial damage, assess your bite and ask you whether you have any muscle pain. They’ll check to see how you open and close your mouth, plus examine the muscles around your jaw joint.

If you do have bruxism, dentists may recommend a treatment that will help reduce the intensity of your teeth grinding, including soft or hard mouthguards. These can be worn at night and will protect your teeth from further damage.

Bruxism can also be linked to stress and anxiety, so dentists might also recommend or provide stress management advice. Physiotherapy, botox, muscle relaxants and medication are further treatment options, either at a dental practice or in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, with some options often being combined.

• From Professor Andrew Eder a dentist at PortmanDentex (portmandentex.com)

Everything you need to know about Bruxism

All about…bruxism: Everything you need to know about this dental condition

**_When I met a new fella, a painful problem was making things between the sheets tricky. Would I ever get doctors to listen? By Tanya Witham, 57_**

The music started and my dance partner and I began jiving enthusiastically around the floor.

I loved dancing to rock 'n’ roll music so much, I’d set up my own club.

But as I twirled around, I became aware of a feeling down below. Horrified, I realised I was leaking.

_Can anyone tell?_ I wondered. _Can I last until the end of the record without completely losing control?_

Luckily, I did — but as soon as the song ended, I told my partner: ‘Just off to the loo.’

I hurried to the ladies’, where I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised my leak wasn’t as bad as I’d feared.

But the following week, I took a spare pair of knickers with me just in case the same thing happened again.

It was a good job I did, because after one particularly lively jitterbug, I had to do a quick change, stuffing my wet undies into a plastic bag I’d put in my handbag.

Next time, I bit the bullet and wore a pad. By the end of the night it was soaked through and I knew I had to face facts — my incontinence was getting worse.

When I was 20, I’d had a son who’d weighed a hefty 10lb. Then 12 years later, my daughter had become stuck in the birth canal.

I was in labour for 20 hours until she was born, weighing 8lb 4oz.

Afterwards, I was diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder. Pelvic floor exercises helped to stem some of the leakage, but sometimes if I coughed or lifted something, a trickle would appear.

Now 17 years on from my daughter’s birth, the trickle had got a lot worse and was blighting my rock 'n’ roll evenings.

I went to the GP who recommended a pelvic mesh. It was a net-like device that would be inserted into my vagina, to give extra support to my weakened internal tissue and stop the leaks.

‘I’ll be able to dance without rushing off to the toilet,’ I told my daughter.

I had the procedure to put the mesh in place and was advised to take life easy for the next six months.

‘It’s worked,’ I said happily to my daughter after a few weeks.

I was looking forward to hoofing it up on the dancefloor without worrying.

But six months after the op, I started to feel pains in my legs and tests showed I had E. coli.

_How on earth did I catch that?_ I wondered.

I took a course of antibiotics, but once they were finished, the pain flared up again.

A cold sensation down my legs took hold and I couldn’t seem to get warm. Then sharp stabbing pains behind my knees began making me flinch too.

‘They’re like electric shocks,’ I told the GP.

Soon the pain began to affect my groin area.

‘Could it be the mesh?’ I asked doctors.

By now, when I walked, it felt as if something was pulling and cutting at the top of my legs.

Despite that, I was determined it wouldn’t stop me getting out and about.

I’d been a single mum since my daughter’s birth. But one night in a bar, I got chatting to a guy called Paul.

A few weeks later, my car sputtered to a halt and when I got out to call for help, another car pulled up beside me.

‘It’s OK,’ I said. ‘I’ve phoned a friend.’

Paul stayed with me until my friend arrived.

Soon we were going out. But trying to be intimate was agony. I felt as if something inside was stabbing me.

‘You’d be better off without me,’ I said, tearfully. ‘We can’t be a proper couple.’

Paul wrapped me in his arms and said: ‘I’m here for you.’

‘I don’t want to be like this any more,’ I sobbed.

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