My cats and dogs

A House Full of Paws, Feathers, and Fins

Over the years, our home has been a lively menagerie. Dogs, cats, budgies, cockatiels, tortoises, hamsters, gerbils, canaries, fish, a pigeon, and even a rat — all have shared our space (and our hearts) at one point or another.

In the Beginning

When it came to animal training, our family started out with plenty of love but very little know-how. I remember one particular afternoon when we three siblings decided to take our German shepherd for a walk. In our youthful confidence, we unclipped her lead, assuming she’d want nothing more than to stay by our sides.

She had other ideas.

Without so much as a backward glance, she bolted straight for home — across a busy main road — in a beeline to my dad. She didn’t know her name, she didn’t know “recall,” but she knew love. And that love was firmly reserved for him.

The Cat Chronicles

Our cats weren’t exactly model citizens either.

Our very first family cat decided that all four corners of the living room made excellent toilet options. My poor mum, following the old-school (and frankly awful) advice of the time, tried the “rub her nose in it” method — a practice that is both cruel and completely ineffective.

The Great Escape Artists

Then there were our flighty friends. Our budgie once made a daring dash through an open window. A pair of hamster pups disappeared beneath the floorboards. And a rescue pigeon, still recovering, took flight before it was quite ready — off into the world with our worried hearts chasing after it.

Lessons in Love

Did we love them? Absolutely. But was love enough? Absolutely not. Looking back, I know we could have made their lives safer, happier, and calmer — with a little more knowledge, patience, and mindfulness.

That realisation became the foundation of my work with animals. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to give every animal in my care the full, safe, and joyous life they deserve. I’ve raised three wonderful cats and rescued several incredible dogs — including two ex-racers from Northumberland Greyhound Rescue, a bright Springer–Collie cross from the RSPCA, and a beautiful German Spitz Mittel rehomed from a family who could no longer meet her needs.

Volunteering with the RSPCA and The Cinnamon Trust, as well as fostering and supporting countless dogs, has been an enormous privilege — one that continues to enrich my life every single day.

Education for Harmony and Happiness

Training became a joyous way for me to engage more with my pets. I’ve put my own dogs through the different levels of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme and attended a wide range of courses and workshops — learning, laughing, and sometimes failing along the way. (If you’re curious, there’s a fantastic free comprehensive course available online for any dog enthusiast who wants to deepen their understanding.)

My dogs aren’t perfect. My goal has never been perfection, but partnership. I just want my pets to be perfect for me — and I believe that’s what every pet owner deserves: harmony, happiness, and a deep, mutual understanding with your best furry friend.

If you would like help nurturing your canine partnership please contact me.