22/10/2025
The life of a dog walker, but with it a bit more meaning.
It’s a weird one… Here goes.
I wouldn’t change it for the world — but I’d also change so much if I could.
My day doesn’t start when I pick up my first dog; it starts when my own dog wants his breakfast at 6am.
And it doesn’t end at 5pm when I get home — it ends at 10pm, once he’s been fed, walked, and settled for the night.
The joy of walking every single dog… and the heartbreak of having to say goodbye when it’s their time to go.
The dog that must be covered in mud from head to toe to truly live its best life — and the same dog that still has to get in my car afterwards. But it’s the happiest dog in the world, so I let it be.
People ask about bills — well, I spend hours every week sending out invoices.
Checking names, dates, amounts — because those same invoices are what allow me to go on holiday, order a takeaway, or simply live.
Every location I drive to, the diesel comes out of my own pocket.
I don’t charge extra for travel, but the dogs love exploring new places, and that’s what matters to me.
Every poo bag and treat — also from my own pocket. Every week I make sure I’ve got enough. But those faces when I pull out a treat? Worth every penny.
Every single dog you see across my social media, I’ve walked personally.
I don’t have a team working in different areas — and that’s how I like it.
I want to walk every dog myself, get to know them, and make sure none of them ever feel like “just a number.”
The “?” message at 11pm because I haven’t replied within an hour — it stings a bit when all I want is sleep before another early morning.
But I let it slide, because I still struggle to set boundaries.
The free meet & greets I offer? They’re not guaranteed clients, but I do them because I love meeting new dogs and giving people the chance to meet me, too.
My camera roll is full of dog faces — and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Then there’s that awful “oh sh*t” moment when you realise you’ve forgotten a dog. That feeling eats you alive all day — it makes you feel worthless. But we’re human. We make mistakes. (And if you don’t, please tell me what you’re having for breakfast.)
The invoices that go unpaid for weeks — they affect my personal life, but I let it slide because I know money doesn’t grow on trees.
The car problems that pop up — and yet I remind myself how lucky I am to have a car at all.
The winter months, when I feel like a walking pigsty — but then I take a breath and think, how lucky am I that this is my job.
To be honest, I’m tired of hearing, “Dog walking isn’t a proper job.”
I hope this changes at least one person’s perspective.
Because I promise you — it’s a real job.
And not just that — it’s a stressful one, a meaningful one, and one that fills my heart every single day.
