Paws for Thought (2025)

30/08/2025

I hope you will forgive the very long and personal post!! But you are all so lovely and I fear I will need your support more than ever over the next few months!

I have had the pleasure of running my own dog walking business for the past 19 years.

However Aunty Sophie decided on the 1st April this year that I needed to get to grips with healthy eating!! I obviously walk miles a day and was very fit but I won’t lie I suffer with the black dog (depression). Food was my crutch and I would always eat the sweet stuff and crisps. Needless to say the stones went on!!

I made the decision to take control of my life. Only I could do it and I had to accept the damage I had done. Now if I am asking people to support me I will be nothing but honest!! I tipped the scales at 17 stone 12. Hard to say but it is the truth. Now I could have taken a weight loss jab but I felt I needed to give life one more try! So head down and it’s been hard I went for it!! Don’t get me wrong however you lose weight is hard.

I have now lost nearly 6 stone and still want to lose another stone and a half. It’s shown me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it!! So I feel I need to pay back some how!

I have been accepted to run the London Marathon next year 26th April!! I haven’t run since I was 25!! So it’s a tab ambitious!! Especially as I don’t like big crowds or running!! 🏃

The charity Sense have backed the 🐢 or should I say 🫏 me!! Their ethos really touches me! Suffering with depression I can find life tough at times but nothing like the people they support. They support both children and adults with severe disabilities and believe with support they and their families should have the same opportunities in life . I couldn’t agree more. So I am hoping to raise lots of money for them. I am also hoping they will allow me to run for our village Aldertons two registered charities the duck pond and raising money for the village hall roof. Both of which are imperative for our Community.

I will be fund raising after Christmas 🎄. In the meantime if you see a Peri menopausal middle aged woman shuffling that’s me!! Please wave and toot your support as this is going to one heck of a challenge. No matter what I will crawl over the line if I have to!

What I do know is my four legged work buddies will keep me going and provide lots of TLC 🐶🐾🐶.

25/07/2025

*** We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all your love and support. It means the world to us and really does help. Whilst we feel very numb we are also so grateful she went naturally . We know how rare this is. She spared us making an impossible decision. ***

I hope you will forgive a very personal post! This month has been the hardest month I have had in my 19 years of business.

We lost 2 very important and special dogs three old age and I must admit I couldn’t quite bring myself to post a tribute . Then we lost a very special cat we used to look after.

I stupidly thought gosh that has to be it. How wrong I was!!

I can’t quite believe I am writing this.

Today we woke up to a very poorly Frieda our baby of the family. Her chest was like a rattle snake and her breathing so laboured. The vets were amazing. I took her into Tetbury and she had no temperature which indicated not infection. However it was clear she was very poorly. I drove her into the hospital at Malmesbury. I dropped her off at 11 am and at 1.45 pm she took her last breath naturally.

Life is very difficult to understand she was only 18 months old. It became apparent on the chest X-ray she was born with a congenital heart condition that no one could have foreseen. We were warned the next 24 hours were critical and she took her last breath surrounded by love at the vets.

She may have only been with us a short time but she mended our family so much. When we lost Panda in such a traumatic way she was the glue that held us together.

So my darling sleep tight. You were loved more than I can put into words and your short life was never in vain. You were incredible. I owe you everything.

23/06/2025

The most special card. We are all going to miss this little man so much. He was one gorgeous, loving boy who charmed us all 💜x

This is definitely the hardest part of my job saying goodbye and waving off dogs to start new exciting ventures.

We will always treasure our time together 🐾🐾🐾🐾

22/06/2025

I have had the pleasure of running Paws for Thought Professional Dog Walking for the past 19 years.

We really sadly have had to wave a couple of our much loved dogs off on ventures new. So we have a couple of spaces free on our groups dog walks.

I specialise in group dog walks between 4 to 6 dogs. So your dog/s must be happy and comfortable in a group. These are very carefully matched to ensure all dogs personalities/exercise needs are similar. Although we totally understand each dog is an individual.

🐾 I am fully trained in Canine First Aid

🐾 Very Experienced in dealing with lots of breeds from small to large breeds.

🐾 Fully insured in all aspects of dog walking/ travel and Public Liability/key cover insurance.

🐾 Carefully planned Countryside walks designed around the dog/s in the group.

🐾 All transported in a van carefully kitted out . Fitted with bespoke crates to DEFRA standards. Air vents fitted for maximum comfort in the Summer and closed for Winter Months. Each crate has its own vet bed. In the hot weather each crate has its own non spill water bowl and cool mat when needed.

🐾 First Aid Kit carried on every walk.

🐾 My own leads provided but by law every dog must have its own ID tag.

🐾 On board electric Shower. To ensure dog/ comfort in Summer months. Also if we have a roller we have shampoo and we will always do our best to drop him a clean dog.

🐾 A free meet and greet is provided to ensure we are the correct fit for your dog/s.

🐾 References provided upon request.

So if you are looking for your dog to make new friends and be loved as if it was my own look no further. As a Mum of 6 Spaniels I understand what a HUGE decision it is to trust your precious family member with someone. Whilst no one is perfect I can promise you hand on heart I will do everything in my power to ensure your dog/s is happy and secure.

Whilst we are in the Summer months we will carefully go through our Summer Policy with you.

If you aren’t looking for a Dog Walker as a Small Business we have a big favour to ask. If you could click on our page and like it we would be very grateful 💜.

15/06/2025

It’s that time of year when I think we need to mention the S word!! Summer ☀️

This picture of my girls was taken in the Spring sunshine but the Summer heat is very different. Looking into the middle of next week it is getting very hot. Don’t worry Aunty Sophie will still be with everyone but I will adapt walks as needed over the Summer. Nothing is more important to me than keeping everyone safe and the heat whilst we love it is very hard on dogs especially when it’s quite a sudden change. If necessary I will bring walks forward to avoid walking in the middle of day heat. I will be in contact with people the night before of any time changes. Where this is not possible all walks will be in the shade. I will always carry water with me. Walks will be about sniffing, games and cuddles under trees. This also allows dogs to play safely with each other whilst stretching their legs. I will ensure I have my cold box in the van with water always in. Each crate will when it’s hot have a cold mat and a non spill water bowl . My first aid kit will always be with me too. I promise I will look after everyone as they are like family to me. If anyone would rather keep their dog at home I will totally understand. I will also have my shower in the van with cool water in. Dogs will be checked after every walk for grass seeds or ticks and removed if found. 🐕 xx

11/04/2025

Just to say here at head quarters we are on Nursing Duty.

Little Lizzie has been spayed and Frieda is keeping a very close eye on her.

We are now on our holidays until Tuesday 22nd April.

We will miss you all very much xx

26/03/2025

Well I have to share a story of two very special dogs and one incredible family.

18 years old I was asked to walk a beautiful dog who sadly is no longer with us called Rosa. She will always hold a special place in my heart.

Then for the past 16 years I walked her brother too Huey. They both taught me so much especially as I was relatively new to the world of dog walking. They were always waiting with a waggy tail and a big hug. We covered many, many miles and had so many adventures.

It was with much sadness and tears that I had to retire Huey from our walks. He still desperately wanted to come and although his mind wanted to his body was finding it harder. I knew in my heart it was time to let him enjoy all those smells and sniffs at his pace with his loving family.

It feels like I have lost a limb but I know I will see him around the village for cuddles. It’s been a privilege not only being part of their lives but also this lovely families live and I will miss them more than I can ever say.

We are never just a dog walker we are part of that dogs life and journey.

Also I must say a huge thank you to this family for trusting me for all these years with their dogs. It’s been an honour. Also I was so touched with my gift voucher to use at a Cotswolds Hotel. It was so , so thoughtful and meant so much.

20/12/2024

Our last walk of 2024 has just been done. Aunty Soph has holiday now until the 5th January 2025 .

2024 has been a hard year for us professionally. We have lost two of our work family dogs to Cancer. They are still with us on every walk we take.

However I do simply have the best job. Lots of gorgeous memories made and beautiful walks, cuddles and so much fun. Every walk is precious.

I can’t thank everyone enough for trusting me with your fur babies. They really do mean the world to me. Also for all your love, support and recommendations. I wouldn’t be here without you and I am so grateful.

I am so looking forward to special times in 2025 and am counting down the days to see my dogs in the NY. 🐾

Happy Christmas and here’s to a Very Happy 2025 🙏 xx

01/12/2024

Aunty Soph wanted to treat all my doggies and have something that lasted longer than Christmas Day. So I decided to get all my dogs an Advent Calendar for everyone to enjoy. Of course there was only one I could get!!

Absolutely loved getting this picture this morning 💜🐾

Thank you so much for my lovely client for letting me post this and showing how good dogs and children can be under the right supervision

25/11/2024

⚠️ I have made the really difficult decision not to walk today.

Our village was under water yesterday. It was way above my chest level. I only know this as we waded through to help a flooded cottage.

Whilst the waters now gone down the fields will be saturated and sat in lots of flooded water. Thankfully no dogs are left home alone so Aunty Sophie will be back tomorrow 🐾

17/11/2024

Here at Head quarters we have the Sunday feeling!! Just had a lovely long walk and 3 of my girls are snuggling and shattered!!

Have a lovely Sunday everyone ###

04/11/2024

Can’t recommend Isabel highly enough. She’s amazing!

Paws for Thought

30/08/2025

25/07/2025

23/06/2025

22/06/2025

15/06/2025

11/04/2025

26/03/2025

20/12/2024

01/12/2024

25/11/2024

17/11/2024

04/11/2024

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