Coastal Paws

11/06/2026

For anyone interested in reading - I have just published another article on Millsight.co.uk around the trials and tribulations of the last few weeks with Coastal Paws.

https://www.millsight.co.uk/post/the-coastal-paws-paradox

Why Walking Away Was the Best Business Decision I MadeBy Aisling (Ash) Mills.A few months ago, I was convinced I knew exactly where my business was headed.The vision was clear. The spreadsheets were immaculate. The plans were ambitious. The excitement was palpable.In short, I was one colour-coded fo...

10/06/2026

Coastal Paws has been a little quiet recently...

So here's a dog.

Because let's be honest, that's what you came here for. 🐾😂

Duggy likes to park his fluffy lil toosh right on my shoulder like some sort of parot 🤣

07/06/2026

🌊 A little update from Coastal Paws 🌊

Over the last few months, Coastal Paws has grown far more quickly than I ever expected. I've met some wonderful people, cared for some incredible dogs, and learned a huge amount along the way.

As many of you know, I started this business to create work that fit around my family life. Somewhere along the line, I found myself saying yes to everything... travelling further afield, taking on last-minute bookings, working evenings and weekends, and trying to be available to everyone.

After a lot of reflection, I've decided it's time to bring Coastal Paws back to what it was always meant to be.

Going forward:

🐾 I will be working during my childcare hours only.

🐾 My service area will be focused on Southwold, Reydon and the immediate surrounding villages.

🐾 I will be prioritising regular, ongoing clients.

🐾 I will no longer be offering one-off or ad-hoc walks.

🐾 I will not be taking bookings outside of my available working hours.

This isn't about doing less. It's about doing what I do well, sustainably, and ensuring I can continue providing the level of care and attention that every dog deserves.

To all of my existing clients, thank you for your support, kindness and trust. It means more than you know.

Here's to calmer days, wagging tails, and finding the right balance. ❤️

Ash
Coastal Paws

05/06/2026

The weekend is starring these two handsome fellas!

Best company 😍🥰❤️🐾

03/06/2026

🐾 RIP Pinky (2026 - 2026) 🐾

Well... today I quite literally sacrificed a finger in the line of duty. 🤣

During a walk with Rocky, another dog appeared and I immediately moved him off the path and into the bushes to create distance and keep everyone safe.

Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to manage the situation, Rocky reacted and the lead caught my little finger.

The result?

Adios fingernail. A finger that is currently swollen, throbbing and partially numb. And a newfound appreciation for just how attached fingernails really are. 😭🤣

The irony is that the injury happened because I was trying to prevent an incident and keep both Rocky and the other dog safe.

It's also a reminder that professional dog walking is often far more than simply clipping on a lead and going for a stroll.

It's reading body language. It's anticipating situations before they happen. It's creating safe distances. It's making split-second decisions.

And sometimes it's putting yourself between a dog and a problem.

Most days nobody sees those moments because they're handled before they become an issue.

Today my little finger paid the price instead. 💀🐾

Because I currently have the grip strength of a soggy Rich Tea biscuit, I may need to rearrange or adapt some walks over the next few days while I heal.

The silver lining is that this has reinforced something I've been working towards for a while. Coastal Paws is growing, and I'm now actively looking at bringing experienced professionals on board so that the dogs continue receiving the highest standard of care, even when I accidentally try to donate body parts to the business. 🤣

Thank you to everyone who has been patient and understanding this week.

Please keep Pinky in your thoughts at this difficult time.

Flowers can be sent directly to Coastal Paws. 🌹💔🐾

02/06/2026

How...

How do they always know when we need a fuss??...

These boys just instinctively smother me with love and affection the minute they sense I am not feeling myself or am down and out. It's incredible... dogs need to be protected at all cost. All animals do.

Percy & Duggy are the barkiest, most protective little gaurd dogs when anyone comes to our house. But that doesn't make them bad. It takes them time to suss people out. To trust and to feel comfortable. And that is totally fine with me.

If you come across me barking at certain people on the street, I've taken a leaf out of their book! 😭🤣🥹❤️🥰

02/06/2026

⚠️Important Update⚠️

I would like to clarify that Coastal Paws is no longer associated with Oaklands Farm, Redisham, or Dave Bareham in any capacity.

Any previous announcements relating to services being operated from that location should now be disregarded.

Whilst I am unable to go into further detail at this time, please be assured that this decision was not made lightly. As a business owner, my priority must always be the welfare, safety and best interests of the animals in my care, my clients, my staff and my business. After careful consideration, I believe this was the right decision.

Coastal Paws will continue to operate independently, and all future services, bookings and communications should be made directly through Coastal Paws.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my business. I look forward to sharing the next chapter with you all.

Ash ❤️🐾

01/06/2026

🐾 Coastal Paws Update 🐾

Over the past few weeks I've been exploring some exciting opportunities for Coastal Paws and looking at ways to expand the services I can offer.

After careful consideration, I've decided to pause those plans for now and focus on what Coastal Paws does best...providing the personal, professional and reliable pet care that my clients know and trust. 🤍

As a result, some services and availability may look a little different over the coming weeks while I reorganise things behind the scenes. Existing bookings and commitments will continue as normal, and I will be reopening availability gradually as I restructure.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Coastal Paws on this journey so far. Sometimes the right decision isn't the biggest decision... it's taking a step back, reassessing, and making sure the foundations are right before moving forward.

Coastal Paws isn't going anywhere. In fact, this gives me the opportunity to focus on the parts of the business I love most and continue building something special for both dogs and their humans. 🐶🤍

Thank you for your patience and support.

Ash x

🐾 Any Coast. Any Paws.

01/06/2026

🐾 Out of Pawffice 🐾

Over the next few days I will be taking a short step back from social media and focusing on the behind-the-scenes side of Coastal Paws.

As many of you know, the business has grown incredibly quickly and I've been working hard to ensure that everything is built properly, safely and sustainably for both clients and their dogs.

Existing bookings and current clients will continue to be supported as normal, however responses may be a little slower than usual whilst I take some time to review plans, catch my breath and make sure I'm making the right decisions for the future of Coastal Paws.

Thank you all for your continued support, recommendations and encouragement. It genuinely means more than you know. 💚

See you all soon.

Ash 🐾

29/05/2026

🐾 "We Treat Your Pets Like Family"

It's a phrase I see everywhere.

Every dog walker.
Every pet sitter.
Every pet care business.

"We treat your pets like family."

But what does that actually mean?

Because if we're being honest, family isn't just cuddles, sofa time and cute photos.

Family is responsibility.

Family is protection.

Family is making important decisions in an instant when safety and wellbeing are at stake.

It's understanding that not every dog should be in every group.

It's recognising when a dog is overwhelmed before they reach breaking point.

It's spotting subtle changes in behaviour, appetite, mobility, mood or toileting habits.

It's noticing when a dog that normally rushes to their water bowl suddenly isn't drinking.

It's recognising when toileting habits change and taking steps to understand why.

It's paying attention when something feels "off" long before it becomes obvious.

Because often the smallest changes can be the earliest indicators that a dog needs additional support, veterinary attention or adjustments to their routine.

It's advocating for dogs when they cannot advocate for themselves.

It's knowing when to push confidence and when to provide reassurance.

It's understanding that every dog is different.

At Coastal Paws, we don't just see the dog standing in front of us.

We see the whole ecosystem surrounding them.

Their routine.

Their health.

Their behaviour.

Their experiences.

Their relationships.

Their fears.

Their triggers.

Their strengths.

We are there for the exciting days.

The first group walks.

The confidence breakthroughs.

The muddy adventures.

The zoomies.

The friendships.

But we're also there for the difficult days.

The anxious dogs.

The nervous rescues.

The behavioural challenges.

The health concerns.

The medication routines.

The ageing dogs who need a slower pace.

The moments where difficult decisions have to be made because it's in their best interests.

The phone calls nobody wants to make.

The emergency situations where remaining calm, thinking clearly and acting quickly matters.

To us, treating dogs like family isn't a marketing slogan.

It's a commitment.

It's carrying the responsibility of someone's best friend as though they were our own.

It's why we invest in training.

Why we pursue licensing.

Why we create systems, procedures and safeguards.

Why we monitor, record, assess and adapt.

Why we never stop learning.

Because real care isn't measured by how many cuddles a dog gets.

It's measured by how safe they are.

How understood they are.

How respected they are.

And how fiercely someone is willing to advocate for their wellbeing.

That's what family means to us.

❤️🐾

Coastal Paws

Where dogs aren't just cared for. They're understood.