How Dogs Changed My Life: My Journey Into a Life With Paws

If you’d told my younger self that one day my life would revolve around dogs, I’d have said, “Obviously.” The only problem? I wasn’t allowed one.

I grew up completely obsessed with dogs. I was that child who stopped to say hello to every dog in the street, who begged relentlessly for “just one puppy,” and who filled notebooks with drawings of the dog I’d have “one day.” That day felt a long way off, but the dream never went anywhere.

Fast forward to adulthood and finally having a place of my own. The very first thing I did (after unpacking boxes, obviously) was start spending as much time as possible with other people’s dogs. I helped friends by walking their dogs, and before long I was having them come to stay with me for holidays. It felt like a little preview of the life I’d always wanted – muddy paws, wagging tails, and a house that finally felt like home.

Six months later, Merlyn came into my life. My gorgeous baby boy. A Welsh Collie with the biggest heart and the brightest soul. I don’t say “light of my life” lightly, but that’s exactly what he became. He didn’t just fill the dog-shaped gap in my life – he completely transformed it. Suddenly, everything made sense. My routines, my priorities, my happiness… all better with him in it.

A few years on, Ace joined our little family. I privately rehomed him after learning he’d been passed from pillar to post when his owner became ill. He’d had a rough start, and bringing him home felt like giving him the stability and love he deserved. Watching him settle, trust again, and truly become part of the pack is something I’ll always be proud of.

Then lockdown happened, and like so many people, it gave me space to really think about my life and career. I realised I needed a total reset – not just in what I did for work, but in how my work fit into my life. I wanted more balance, more purpose, and more time doing something that genuinely made me happy.

So, I took the leap and started dog walking as a business.

Within two months, I was fully booked. Fully booked… doing the thing I loved most. I honestly still pinch myself sometimes that this is my job. Fresh air, muddy boots, happy dogs, and the kind of tired you get from doing something that fills your cup rather than drains it. It truly is the best job in the world.

Along the way, I’ve thrown myself into learning as much as I can – from dog first aid and canine communication, to working-dog specific courses. Understanding dogs on a deeper level has made me not only better at my job, but a better human to them too. I’ll be sharing more about that learning journey in my next blog entry.

This first post is really just the beginning of my story with dogs – a story that started with a dog-obsessed child who wasn’t allowed a pet, and somehow turned into a life built around paws, leads, muddy fields, and a whole lot of love.

And honestly? I wouldn’t change a single step of the journey.