Country Dog Walking

25/01/2025

If only I could 💕

Woe is me... I've now been back with foster folks for 5 months and no sign of a forever home 😪. I'm going to get a complex if no-one comes forward soon. Please spread the word that my handsome self is looking for a loving, energetic and experienced home.

25/01/2025

Following the share of a fun fall video, i have to say my falls are not so much fun or epic…

A few weeks ago I shared a post thanking all my clients for their understanding moving all walks to field walks for a few weeks!

The reason being I have a fractured arm (well radial head), and I got a few people worried they thought it was a head fracture - it’s the top of radius 🦴 bone where the elbow joins (I’ve never heard of it either).

Picking up a dog I slipped on black ice and as the driveway is quite a steep hill I went backwards and of course put my arm out. At the time I was more concerned about letting the dog go as I heard a couple of cracks as near a road.

Anyway carried on as normal albeit feeling a bit sore and sick and into Saturday with some (nice) nagging 🤣 from my Sister & Mum got it checked.

Petersfield walk in where fantastic and super quick in for an xray, I didn’t want to waste A&E’s time. I honestly didn’t think it had broken as no bruising and little swelling but it was.

After much thought I decided to carry on working and moved all walks to the field. I have various insurances which would have covered me as accidents are a hazard of this job with slippery ground, tree roots, dog pulling and generally being outdoors all day.

It’s sore today after a very busy week, I still have movement and can hold things, there is just limitation with rotation, and my arm won’t straighten I believe for quite a time.

It’s no biggy just a hazard or the job! luckily my left arm works just fine especially for head rubs xx

25/01/2025

25/01/2025

25/01/2025

Friday nights means physiotherapy night for 🫐 Blueberry.

Bear is a bit miffed as Kayleigh Veterinary Physiotherapy is his absolute favourite person, and Blueberry now on her 3rd session post her sudden severe pain a couple of months ago and emergency vet treatment.

A bit of a fidget bum whilst having treatment typical spaniel style, but certainly enjoys the fuss and attention and enjoying the exercises with the aid of a licky mat & cream cheese to slow her down and aid getting her posture right.

Building that strength back up in her back right and lower lumbar part of her spine where we believe the pain was coming from.

I need some Physio but the dogs come first, they can’t tell us where it hurts!

24/01/2025

Friday night must mean Traitorsfinal 💀🪦

24/01/2025

24/01/2025

Any else’s dogs like a high placement of a p**p 💩? Great balancing skills….

23/01/2025

With the weather forecast please remember to check gates and fences before letting your dogs out into the garden.

Make sure they are wearing ID tags if you are out walking.

Also worth checking that the microchip information registered for your dog is up to date.

We have advised any volunteers who have home visits or dog assessments arranged for tomorrow to reschedule them.

23/01/2025

A day of three, nice dry foggy first walk, complete drowned rats second walk followed by a third with sun beaming over us 🌫️☔️☀️

23/01/2025

Let’s talk messaging… to reconfirm business hours are 8am - 6pm (weekend/evening walks upon request).

Every day I receive messages from 6am (had many during the night also), and up to and after 11pm plus weekends even 11pm on a Saturday and 7am on a Sunday.

Whilst I fully understand we live in a fast communicative world and people are very busy, and when they think of something like to action straight away, so to reconfirm an out of office reply is sent on all message before 8am and after 6pm and at weekends meaning im out walking/driving/working 50 hours a week, which I feel is a reasonable opening time for a small business (I am super happy to be so busy and thankful and will continue these hours).

It doesn’t stop at 6pm I generally spend 2 hours every evening sorting photos/updates/admin/vehicles/washing towels/marketing plus studying to complete the IMDTB behavior qualification. Last weekend I spent the whole weekend studying and sorting new changes to the business.

Sometimes I ‘side eye’ a message coming in, but I feel consistent hours also lets clients know where they are and when messages will be responded to so I feel gives an effecient business impression.

If a message is ever missed please do nudge. Sometimes requests for future walks and changes may not be sorted asap, but I try to confirm I’ve received the message. Of course anything to do with the day in hand will be sorted immediately eg if a dog is off unwell, or a request for a walk that day.

Obviously when I am out walking I am focused on that day, driving routes, crate space, where we walk, safety, who works or doesn’t work together, ideal timings for clients… making sure the puzzle comes together!

The last couple of weeks have been a bit up in the air, further posts to follow so thank you for your patience x

Thank you for reading if you got this far…

💕💕

(Btw this isn’t a rant, just updating terms of business 😀)

23/01/2025

Thank you Mich Walks for sharing on our very lovely local dog walker group 💕 (stealing)

***

Secrets of a Dog Walker ( a copy & paste, original author unknown)

1. It's a lifestyle, not just a job. If you're in it for the money you've made a big mistake because a) you're never going to be rich, end of story; and b) you won't survive your first winter if that's your only motivation. We see these people come and go from time to time.

2. We talk to each other more than you might think. About the best walking boots, what clothing we are wearing for today's weather, our financial struggles, the traffic, dodgy men in the woods, fallen trees, etc. It's a lonely job but we have each other's backs from a distance. 🥰

3. We don't physically have eyes in the backs of our heads but we know so well the sound of every jingle of every ID tag, and every dog's individual footfall on the ground behind us, we may as well have. We also know which puddle they’ll head for. Which trees they like to drink from, what their noises mean and when they’ll do a p**p!

4. We can't physically see round corners either, but we know so well each leading dog's body language in reaction to an oncoming person and/or dog that we may as well be able to.

5. We hear "Are they all yours?!" and "Wow you've got your hands full" at least twice a day, but we always smile and say "They keep me on my toes". Every. Single. Time. The one that gets me is “aren’t they behaving well” - NEVER say that!! It’s just a jinx 😂 I guarantee you, after you’ve passed, they’ll play up!!!

6. It actually breaks our heart when a dog moves out of our area, and we thoroughly investigate our replacement for our own peace of mind, even if the client hasn't asked us to.

7. If you peel back a few layers of clothing (depending on the season) you will find bruises, scratches and scrapes covering the whole of our bodies. Don't bother asking where they came from, we have no idea.

8. If you see a dog walker looking vaguely presentable on a weekday, you should send help, something is not right.

9. We love our clients' dogs as we do our own and will sometimes lie awake at night worrying about their injuries, illnesses, and behaviour problems. We can't help it after spending so much time with them. It hurts us when clients don't appreciate this.

10. Despite the financial uncertainty, the harsh winters, the blood, sweat and tears, it really is the best job in the world 🥰

23/01/2025

How much can I get in my mouth, Luna style!

22/01/2025

Day 2 of something different, a 10 minute stop for a coffee & egg lunch, yes Bear finished it off 🐣. Can’t remember the last time I bought a coffee during work hours and sipped… what a treat ☕️

22/01/2025

💕Monday💕

21/01/2025

Had to share as a few horsey followers I’m sure will appreciate this 😂

21/01/2025

Just because my girl & i can post pictures of her doing normal Brie 🧀 things xx