Who Am I?

Hello, I’m Andrea and to know me is to know I love dogs. You’d probably assume I did considering I walk dogs for a living but, I mean I really love them. I started dog walking when I was 12 years old and wanted to earn a bit of pocket money. I didn’t actually earn much money as I was paid with other things; cake, books, sweets and great conversations with adults about their dogs.  I had no idea that the stories about Swift the Irish Setter, Jamie the King Charles Spaniel and Petra the Heinz 57 would stay with me through the years but they did. 

So, it made perfect sense that when I was in-between jobs as a 48 year old and saw an advert looking for a dog walker I decided to go for it. I got the job and loved it! I then decided that I wanted my own dog walking company and Paws and Whiskers Pet Services was born.  

It hasn’t always been easy, it took more than six weeks to get my first customer and dogs haven’t always made my life easy. I’ve had my fair share of dogs thinking a 45 minute walk isn’t enough so they wandered off on their own.  One dog wandered for 3 hours, that wasn’t fun! He was definitely an on lead dog after that!! One dog jumped into a river and then couldn’t get out. Guess who had to go in after him?!  I’ve walked in rain that was so heavy it actually filled my wellies, had dogs bolt when they heard a clap of thunder or a crow scarer. I’ve had to wrestle rabbits and other more disgusting things out of dog’s mouths. But do you know what? I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

Being out and about in beautiful countryside with a pack of dogs, whatever the weather, is my passion and although Swift, Jamie and Petra are no longer with us I’m still having great conversations with adults about their dogs!!