25/10/2026
Ollie shaped so much of how I train dogs. My ethos has always been to train the dog in front of me and help each owner build the life they want to share with their dog. That means understanding who the dog is, listening to what they’re telling us and finding a way forward that works for both of them.
With Ollie, I’m so glad we worked towards giving him off-lead freedom and the chance to adventure with me as soon as we safely could. Those walks and experiences became such a big part of our life together. They weren’t about having a perfect dog; they were about making the most of the time we had and sharing the kind of life we both loved.
His illness also taught me to trust my instincts and keep advocating when something didn’t feel right. When decisions became difficult, I had to remember that quality of life mattered more than simply having another treatment available.
I knew how much I loved him. I hadn’t understood how many other people had made a connection with him through their training, their visits and the time they spent with us. The messages and stories you shared showed me that his loss was felt far beyond our home.
These are a few of the things I’ve carried with me: trust your instincts, ask the questions, think about quality of life and don’t underestimate the value of small moments. Comparison is the thief of joy, so try not to measure your life with your dog against anyone else’s. And muzzle training can give you choices when you need them most.
I’m so grateful to all my clients who loved Ollie and made him part of your experience with us. For many of you, his loss came as a shock. I chose to keep his illness private while we worked through the investigations and made our own decisions. Thank you for all the kindness, messages and memories you’ve shared. It means so much to know how loved he was.
I miss him every day. I’m so grateful for the time we had and for all the people who loved him. I’m also incredibly grateful for the community Ollie helped me build, and for the amazing support from friends I would never have crossed paths with without him. You were there for me through every appointment and decision, and I’ll always be thankful.