Zero Bark Nine

03/06/2026

Gilly ripped the sleeve on my original one over three years ago... The learning curve there was simple:
If you own a Belgian Malinois, don’t wave your arms around like you’re directing aircraft!

That original fleece was a ###L in size, and for the last year I’ve been wearing it full of holes, tears and battle damage while slowly shrinking thanks to Mounjaro.

By the end, it fitted less like a fleece and more like a Thrudark Shroud. Fast forward to today...The replacement has arrived.

Size Large! Which is probably the bit I’m most proud of.
Three years ago, I was filling a ###L. Today I’m opening a Large. The old fleece has survived countless patrols, dog hair, mud, rain, and one particularly enthusiastic Malinois who apparently thought sleeves were a consumable item.

This new one starts life with a strict operational policy:
⚠️ No lifting arms around Gilly.
⚠️ No impromptu bite-work demonstrations.
⚠️ No quality-control testing by Belgian Malinois.

Because unlike the last one, I’d quite like this fleece to make it past its first week without looking like it’s been involved in a hostage rescue.

Although knowing Gilly, she’s already spotted the package and is currently planning how to turn this one into a sleeveless summer edition.

03/06/2026

REVIEW: Rex Specs in Coyote – Field Tested by K-9 Gilly

After putting Gilly’s new coyote-coloured Rex Specs through their paces, we’re seriously impressed. Supplied by Slickers Doghouse in the UK, the quality was evident straight out of the box.

The first thing that stands out is the fit. The fully adjustable strap system allows the goggles to sit securely without restricting movement, which is essential for a high-drive working Belgian Malinois. Once fitted correctly, Gilly was free to run, track, patrol and work naturally without constantly trying to remove them. Rex Specs are designed to provide protection from UV rays, dust, debris, wind and other environmental hazards while maintaining a wide field of vision.

For operational dogs, that’s a huge advantage. Whether it’s pushing through thick vegetation, negotiating derelict buildings, working around airborne dust, or spending long periods in bright sunlight, eye protection can be the difference between completing the mission and heading home early.

The coyote colour also complements working-dog kit perfectly. On Gilly, they look less like an accessory and more like they belong on the loadout.

Credit must also go to Slickers Doghouse. Ordering was straightforward, communication was excellent, and delivery was exactly what you’d hope for from a professional supplier. Customer reviews repeatedly praise their service and attention to customers, and we can see why.

After several deployments, our verdict is simple:

Comfortable. Secure. Professional. Mission ready.

For working dogs, active dogs, and handlers who spend serious time outdoors, Rex Specs are a worthwhile investment in protecting one of your dog’s most valuable assets…their eyesight. Community feedback from working and service-dog handlers consistently highlights Rex Specs as one of the most trusted options for eye protection and rough-terrain work.

K-9 Gilly approved.
Callsign Zero Dark Nine – Zero Compromise. 🐾

Disclaimer: Gilly is a security private contractor operating in the security private sector. This is an unpaid add.

31/05/2026

As the weekend fades and the light begins to die, Gilly steps quietly into the TAOR. No noise. No drama. Just watchful eyes, ears forward, and a mind already working three steps ahead ready to neutralise any threat in sight

31/05/2026

HYDRATION HALT – 1432 HOURS

Dust in the air. Temperature rising across the TAOR.

After miles of tracking lanes, field edges and rural ratlines, even the fur missile needs to pause for a resupply.

Here, K9 Gilly takes five for a water break, refuelling from her ThruBark collapsible bowl; a simple bit of kit that has earned a permanent place in the patrol loadout. Lightweight, durable and designed to disappear into your kit when not in use, it folds flat, takes up virtually no space and is always there when the mission tempo demands it.

Whether you’re working dogs, hiking, travelling or simply spending long days outdoors, hydration is mission-critical. The beauty of the ThruBark bowl is its simplicity. No bulk. No wasted space. Just a practical piece of equipment that deploys in seconds and packs away just as quickly.

30/05/2026

All of our dogs are on Atlantean K9 From the youngest search dog Panchio to the old boy Tazar with his senior recipe.
If you can checkout their products and give them a follow.

Your dog’s gut runs the whole show.
Energy. Skin. Mood. Immune system. 💥

Digestive Care is built for dogs with sensitive stomachs with highly digestible protein + gut-supporting ingredients that actually do the job.

✅ Better digestion
✅ More consistent stools
✅ Happier, brighter dogs

Want the feeding guide? Comment GUT or DM us DIGESTIVE and we’ll help you choose the right amount.

30/05/2026

K-9 GILLY // KIT TESTED, OPERATION APPROVED

We’re genuinely impressed with the Ruffwear Grip Trex boots.

Supplied by Von Wolf with what can only be described as a rapid deployment of next-day delivery, they arrived quickly and were straight into operational use.

Last night, Gilly put them to work across a variety of terrain, including abandoned urban buildings, broken concrete, shattered glass, sharp debris and all the hazards you’d expect to find in environments that haven’t seen maintenance for years.

The result?

No hesitation. No fuss. No loss of confidence.

Gilly moved through it all with ease.

A working dog’s paws are one of their most valuable assets, and protecting them isn’t just about comfort, it’s about keeping them operational and mission-ready. The Grip Trex boots provided that extra layer of protection while still allowing her to move naturally across challenging ground.

For a first operational outing, we’re very impressed.

A big thank you to Von Wolf for the outstanding service and rapid delivery, and to Ruffwear for producing a boot that appears more than capable of standing up to the realities of working dog life.

K-9 Gilly
Callsign: Zero Dark Nine

Paws on the ground. Mission ongoing.

20/05/2026

K-9 Gilly sporting the Thrudark snood, she officially moved from “working dog” to “working influencer.”

Some dogs chase tennis balls.
Gilly’s apparently chasing brand endorsements 🤣

One minute she’s conducting a rural ratline recce… the next she’s posing like she’s just dropped the latest summer canine operator collection.

K-9 GILLY: Landshark at night…dog model and fashion influencer during the day 🤣

14/05/2026

Since November, working the rural TAORs around Leicestershire, there were three horses that became part of the nightly patrol routine. Apples in the pocket. Carrots in the van. Same field gates. Same faces waiting in the darkness.

But one always stood out.

Stripe.

A giant black horse with presence. The type that didn’t need to move fast to command your attention. Over the months, during downtime between patrols, I’d walk into the field with the camera and photograph him properly, not for social media, not for business, just because some moments deserve preserving.

Yesterday I learned Stripe had passed away at 21 years old.

Sad news, genuinely.

But this is where photography matters.

Sometimes a photograph becomes more than a picture. It becomes proof that a moment existed. Proof that an animal was much loved from his owners. Proof that they were here.

The owners never knew these photographs had been taken, which makes it even more important now. In the coming days, they’ll be getting printed images of Stripe standing proud in the Leicestershire countryside he called home.

And a massive shout-out to Tesco as well. After hearing the story behind the prints, they showed real kindness and heavily discounted the cost of producing them. Small gesture maybe, but one that genuinely meant something.

Rest easy Stripe.