In my view a walk is only half a walk without a dog..... I mean that’s like tea without biscuits. So having suppressed the urge (and daughter insistence) to get a dog since moving to Scotland 11 yrs ago..... last year we finally succumbed.
Meet Polka- half collie, half lurcher. Bright as anything, speedy, curious friendly and an amazing companion. When we walk together I imagine myself to be on an epic adventure that would take us across land for days. I really enjoy getting up before anyone on a Sunday and walking to “Balmerino and back” before breakfast - it has even become some kind of meme in our household to describe the nutty (read: brilliant) things that ‘mum’ likes to do. All by ‘her’self. With Polka. So quiet. No talking......ahhh peaceful.
Wild, free, connected, on a life or death kind of mission infused with some sort of existential threat, ......you know. #neverendingstory #gameofthrones #lordoftherings #watershipdown #Allthegoodthings.
I grew up with two dogs, a big Dulux dog, (Old English Sheep dog) and a little loo brush (Norfolk terrier) and they were my best pals, and later on a beautiful Flat Coated Retreiver, who I adored, although he was totally loopy and his recall was awful. (My mum trained him - not me!)
I am an absolute animal lover. I grew up with dogs, horses chickens, and weekends were defined by wellies and moth eaten jumpers for the outdoors, followed by log fires and crumpets.
For me though animals are the wise ones, from which we have a lot to learn, and like I said, nothing makes me happier than seeing happy dogs run around in the wild. (Well I quite like seeing my children running around in the wild, but they are harder to train.)
Whilst I am studying to be a counsellor over in Dundee (therapy and dogs and yoga are my current favourite things) and walking beaches, fields and forests with Polka, I want to offer Wilder Walks to other dogs stuck at home waiting for something to happen......
I’ve called this #sidehustle Wilder Walks because we want to go a little longer and a little further so that not only do the dogs get a sniff of fresh air and stretch their legs......they can immerse in the outdoors, feel connected to their wilder (not too wild) nature, play, think learn and come home ready for a sleep.
So as this is my first official dog walking venture, and a side hustle to my studies I am only offering walks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays which is also why I am offering longer wilder walks.
The longer Wilder Walk also means that if you only want to have your dog walked once a week, to give yourself a break, or because you can’t fit in longer walks during the week- you know your pup has had a proper adventure.
I have been learning some training techniques from the amazing dog trainers, at Absolute Dogs, which are based on playing games with your dogs. So I will also be using these games out on walks, where possible, to give the dogs lots to think about, and to create a strong playful and attentive bond with them.
I am currently studying my Pet First Aid level 2 course, (only put up this page yesterday....will be completed and updated soon) and (will be) fully insured before taking on any dogs for walks.
I am so excited about it.....so if you have got this far, would you like me to walk your dog for you?
(*insurance and first aid pending*)
Feel free to get in touch - I will always give a trial walk to make sure that I can get to know the dog a bit before taking them out for a longer Wilder Walk and that the dogs are a good fit for each other.
Thanks for reading.
Amanda