Turning a love of dogs into a dream job
My business is a new adventure for me. I’ve always had a love for dogs and a fascination with their behaviour and psychology. There has been a lot of negativity in the world lately, which pushed me to create something good. It has been a long time coming and I’m glad I can finally get it started.
You’re a dog first aider. That’s a new one on me! Can you explain a bit about what this entails?
We all know that having the knowledge to react quickly and efficiently can save a life. This is just as important for our fourlegged friends who are in our care 24/7. I’m dedicated to keeping my knowledge up to date so that I am prepared for the unexpected. After all, our cheeky companions do like to do the unexpected.
You use technology in your work. Explain more, please.
I use a doggy cam because a camera can offer so much. It can give extra reassurance for owners putting their trust in a dog walker for the first time and it can also add protection in the proof that it records. It can also capture the moments in a dog’s life where they are at their happiest – exploring, sniffing, playing and just being a dog. These memories are priceless.
As a dog lover I am guessing that you have your own dog?
I have two pooches. One is a little diva who has been on stage a few times in the last couple of years. He gets in a strop when the show is over – like I said, diva! Myotherlittle minx is a complete mummy’s girl. She was a stray from Romania and we took her in from eight months. There were some challenging times but very proud of how far she has come.
What do you love about pooches?
I think this a tough question to answer. There are so many answers I could give, but what resonates with me the most is how they have very little judgment and a whole lot of forgiveness. We can learn a lot from them.
During lockdown there has been a surge in people adding a dog to their family. What are the best pieces of advice you can offer to new dog owners?
I would say always do your research. There is never too much information. The more you know about your dog then the better life you can provide for them. Don’t skip out on training. If they’re a puppy, get in that vital puppy training. It will really help them grow into a happy and well behaved pooch.
Where can we find out more about your dog walking services?
Easy peasy! You can find details on my website at www. zoe- j aydogwalking. co.uk or, if you’re a social media junky, I am also on Facebook and Instagram @ zoejaydog