13/04/2023
Warning...Long post incoming
Evening folks, not my usual post, but after this morning I feel I need to speak out.
Today I was with another professional Dog walker, on our usual Thursday meet up walk in Oyne (which the dogs love as they see their Thursday pals πΆ), that we have been doing for several years now, with our children in tow (as it's the holidays), and sadly a few people came out and started taking photographs of us, including our kids and vans. This is not OK.
Unfortunately, as a dog walker, and along with fellow dog walkers, we tend to only be the topic of negativity. However for all who know me, as a professional Dog walker, I take pride in the way I handle my business, with my dogs in my care, the public and my self being top priority.
In the near 5 years I have been walking, I have met many people with dogs, without dogs, horses, children etc, and I always assure that I am courteous to those that I encounter by getting my dogs on the lead, standing in to the side, or even taking my barky dogs right into the woods (you guys know who you are ππ). With the the bad press we get, I'm always conscious not to add to that, by taking these steps.
We are usually greeted with a "thank you", "your hands are full" or even "they are all so cute" π₯°, and always with a smile, but recently have been greeted with more looks of disapproval, even when all dogs are controlled and being well behaved. I have no aggressive dogs or reactive dogs in my care, just little ones that like to bark big π. We always pick up our dogs p**p, even when it's not our dogs leaving the mess, as we too do not like to walk on a path where there is dog p**p to step on.
I didn't go into this lightly, I slowly started up my business. I am fully insured, which includes being able to walk up to 6 dogs at a time, I have completed a level 3 in animal care, Animal First Aid Course, and I have also worked part time gaining more experience with an array of different animals, including dogs.
We know our dogs that we walk, you could show us a picture of one of them and we could tell you all about them...in fact that might be a future post π. We love them as much as their mums and dad's.
I am not a person, nor is my other dog walking chums, to cause upset or conflict, as the people closest to me will know. However, I am a very approachable person, a very understanding person, and would very much prefer people not to take pictures of me at my work. I would much prefer for them to grab my attention and speak face to face π. My number is on my page, I'm happy to have a conversation.
Again really don't want to attract any debate, arguments or negative comments please, just wanted to put it out there from a professional point of view πΆπ.
