Paws for Thought

25/05/2026

🐾☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️🐾

‼️Hot Weather Policy ‼️

I just wanted to assure people that if they see my dog walking van driving around in the Summer heat please know I will always put the dogs welfare above anything. Paws for Thought

I will still ensure that I am with every dog but changes will need to be made. Nothing is more important to me than keeping everyone safe and the heat whilst we love it is very hard on dogs especially when it’s quite a sudden change. If necessary I will bring walks forward to avoid walking in the middle of days heat. I will be in contact with people the night before of any time changes. Walks will be adapted and possibly slightly shorter and in the shade. I will always carry water with me. Walks will be about sniffing, games and cuddles under trees. This also allows dogs to play safely with each other whilst stretching their legs and toiletingI will ensure I have my cold box in the van with water always in. Each crate will when it’s hot have a cold mat and a non spill water bowl . My first aid kit will always be with me too. I promise I will look after everyone as they are like family to me.

When temperatures rise to above 24 degrees walks will be early and I will ensure everyone is home by 10am. I will for dogs left home alone pop back in later to let them out for a toilet break , fresh water change and Aunty Soph hugs.

Finally my late cancellation policy won’t apply . I will also have my shower in the van with cool water in.Dogs will be checked over for grass seeds after every walk and ticks removed if seen.

09/05/2026

The most lovely Birthday message to Sir David Attenborough. He has inspired me like so many others in my 49 years of life. He is our National Treasure and I wish you the happiest 100th Year . You are simply one incredible human and the biggest advocate to protecting the Natural World.

Whimsical film shows relay of animals carrying centennial card from Balmoral Castle to naturalist in London

29/03/2026

I saw this posted on a fellow Professional Dog Walkers Page Wild Walks https://www.facebook.com/share/1BB4WEVGRi/?mibextid=wwXIfr. I had to share here! She’s worded this perfectly and it’s exactly how I feel ❤️

Dog walking is often seen as a simple service — take the dog out, give them exercise, bring them home and of course, thats part of it.

But for those of us who have been doing this long enough, it becomes so much more than just a job, it becomes something far more human.

Yes, we get the privilege of watching your dogs grow. We meet them as tiny, excitable puppies with paws that are too big for their bodies. We see them learn confidence, make friends, and grow into the characters you know and love. We watch them slow down in their older years, when the walks become gentler and the cuddles last a little longer.

But what people don’t always realise is that we also get to watch the families grow.

We see children who once struggled to hold a lead grow tall enough to walk alongside us.

We hear about new jobs, new babies, new homes. Sometimes we’re there helping during house moves, making sure the dog is safe and settled while life is packed into boxes around them.

Other times we’re saying goodbye when families move out of our area, which is always harder than it should be.

Over the years we’re trusted with more than just the dog and we are let into people’s lives in a way we never expect.

We see the good times — weddings, births, celebrations — and we see the harder moments too. Breakups. Stress. Mental health struggles.

Sometimes we notice before anyone says anything because the routine changes, the walks are quieter, or the house just feels different.

And then there are the moments that truly stay with you — when you watch someone you’ve known for years become unwell, when life slowly changes around them, and eventually when they’re no longer there at all. Those are the walks where the lead feels a little heavier and the silence says more than words ever could.

When you’ve been walking a dog for years, you can’t help but feel part of the family’s story.

Maybe this isn’t the most “professional” way to think about a business. But honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Because dog walking isn’t just about dogs.

It’s about trust, relationships, and being a small part of people’s lives — whether that’s helping out with muddy paws, lending a hand when things get busy, or simply being someone who notices when things aren’t quite okay.

So to every family who has trusted us with their dog — and, in many ways, with a small part of their life — thank you.

It means more than you will ever know. 🐾

04/01/2026

A beautiful start to 2026 out walking my gorgeous girls.

We wish you the Happiest New Year to all our two and four legged friends.

28/12/2025

Well the dog 🐶 lover in me had to to see the Wallace and Gromit Christmas lights at Longleat . They were quite simply AMAZING!! I was always born to be a dog walker!! ### 💜🐾

03/12/2025

I can’t believe that Christmas is nearly here!!

Aunty Soph will be on my break from 20th December until 4th January inclusive.

I will miss everyone so much .💜🐾💜.

A H U GE thank you for all your love and support this year it means so much xx

30/08/2025

I hope you will forgive the very long and personal post!! But you are all so lovely and I fear I will need your support more than ever over the next few months!

I have had the pleasure of running my own dog walking business for the past 19 years.

However Aunty Sophie decided on the 1st April this year that I needed to get to grips with healthy eating!! I obviously walk miles a day and was very fit but I won’t lie I suffer with the black dog (depression). Food was my crutch and I would always eat the sweet stuff and crisps. Needless to say the stones went on!!

I made the decision to take control of my life. Only I could do it and I had to accept the damage I had done. Now if I am asking people to support me I will be nothing but honest!! I tipped the scales at 17 stone 12. Hard to say but it is the truth. Now I could have taken a weight loss jab but I felt I needed to give life one more try! So head down and it’s been hard I went for it!! Don’t get me wrong however you lose weight is hard.

I have now lost nearly 6 stone and still want to lose another stone and a half. It’s shown me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it!! So I feel I need to pay back some how!

I have been accepted to run the London Marathon next year 26th April!! I haven’t run since I was 25!! So it’s a tab ambitious!! Especially as I don’t like big crowds or running!! 🏃

The charity Sense have backed the 🐢 or should I say 🫏 me!! Their ethos really touches me! Suffering with depression I can find life tough at times but nothing like the people they support. They support both children and adults with severe disabilities and believe with support they and their families should have the same opportunities in life . I couldn’t agree more. So I am hoping to raise lots of money for them. I am also hoping they will allow me to run for our village Aldertons two registered charities the duck pond and raising money for the village hall roof. Both of which are imperative for our Community.

I will be fund raising after Christmas 🎄. In the meantime if you see a Peri menopausal middle aged woman shuffling that’s me!! Please wave and toot your support as this is going to one heck of a challenge. No matter what I will crawl over the line if I have to!

What I do know is my four legged work buddies will keep me going and provide lots of TLC 🐶🐾🐶.

25/07/2025

*** We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all your love and support. It means the world to us and really does help. Whilst we feel very numb we are also so grateful she went naturally . We know how rare this is. She spared us making an impossible decision. ***

I hope you will forgive a very personal post! This month has been the hardest month I have had in my 19 years of business.

We lost 2 very important and special dogs three old age and I must admit I couldn’t quite bring myself to post a tribute . Then we lost a very special cat we used to look after.

I stupidly thought gosh that has to be it. How wrong I was!!

I can’t quite believe I am writing this.

Today we woke up to a very poorly Frieda our baby of the family. Her chest was like a rattle snake and her breathing so laboured. The vets were amazing. I took her into Tetbury and she had no temperature which indicated not infection. However it was clear she was very poorly. I drove her into the hospital at Malmesbury. I dropped her off at 11 am and at 1.45 pm she took her last breath naturally.

Life is very difficult to understand she was only 18 months old. It became apparent on the chest X-ray she was born with a congenital heart condition that no one could have foreseen. We were warned the next 24 hours were critical and she took her last breath surrounded by love at the vets.

She may have only been with us a short time but she mended our family so much. When we lost Panda in such a traumatic way she was the glue that held us together.

So my darling sleep tight. You were loved more than I can put into words and your short life was never in vain. You were incredible. I owe you everything.

23/06/2025

The most special card. We are all going to miss this little man so much. He was one gorgeous, loving boy who charmed us all 💜x

This is definitely the hardest part of my job saying goodbye and waving off dogs to start new exciting ventures.

We will always treasure our time together 🐾🐾🐾🐾

22/06/2025

I have had the pleasure of running Paws for Thought Professional Dog Walking for the past 19 years.

We really sadly have had to wave a couple of our much loved dogs off on ventures new. So we have a couple of spaces free on our groups dog walks.

I specialise in group dog walks between 4 to 6 dogs. So your dog/s must be happy and comfortable in a group. These are very carefully matched to ensure all dogs personalities/exercise needs are similar. Although we totally understand each dog is an individual.

🐾 I am fully trained in Canine First Aid

🐾 Very Experienced in dealing with lots of breeds from small to large breeds.

🐾 Fully insured in all aspects of dog walking/ travel and Public Liability/key cover insurance.

🐾 Carefully planned Countryside walks designed around the dog/s in the group.

🐾 All transported in a van carefully kitted out . Fitted with bespoke crates to DEFRA standards. Air vents fitted for maximum comfort in the Summer and closed for Winter Months. Each crate has its own vet bed. In the hot weather each crate has its own non spill water bowl and cool mat when needed.

🐾 First Aid Kit carried on every walk.

🐾 My own leads provided but by law every dog must have its own ID tag.

🐾 On board electric Shower. To ensure dog/ comfort in Summer months. Also if we have a roller we have shampoo and we will always do our best to drop him a clean dog.

🐾 A free meet and greet is provided to ensure we are the correct fit for your dog/s.

🐾 References provided upon request.

So if you are looking for your dog to make new friends and be loved as if it was my own look no further. As a Mum of 6 Spaniels I understand what a HUGE decision it is to trust your precious family member with someone. Whilst no one is perfect I can promise you hand on heart I will do everything in my power to ensure your dog/s is happy and secure.

Whilst we are in the Summer months we will carefully go through our Summer Policy with you.

If you aren’t looking for a Dog Walker as a Small Business we have a big favour to ask. If you could click on our page and like it we would be very grateful 💜.