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Jo The Dog Lady

Dog walker in: Essex | , ,


  • One dog walks
  • Group walks
  • Dog sitting at owners property
  • Care for other animals (e.g. cat visits)

My background has always involved working with animals or children in a caring role. My most recent job was as a care assistant in a large specialist veterinary hospital. This role just confirmed to me how much I love working with animals. I would spend my nightshifts walking dogs from tiny Chiuhahs to massive Great Danes and everything in-between. I cared for dogs who were needing lots of cuddles, those who were affectionate, happy, right through to those who were nervous and so scared they showed aggression, dogs who did not stop barking, dogs who were having many toileting accidents. None of this is a problem to me. I am passionate about making each animal feel secure, happy and cared for.

In 2018 my children and I volunteered at a dog sanctuary in Costa Rica. This was the beginning of a turning point for me in wanting to spend more time with animals including while working, not just in my free time. In the summer of 2021 we went to visit and help at a dog sanctuary in Crete, Greece. At the time we had no intention of bringing anyone home…but fast forward 4 weeks and i was flying towards the UK with Louis & Jack. Louis, an ex hunting dog who had been left chained up to a tree all of his life in the blistering, had then spent four years living in the shelter. Over looked as he was shy in nature, had had his ears and tail partly cut off and was covered in scars, we fell in love. And then Jack, my beautiful elderly black lab cross. Everybody loves Jack. Thirteen year old Jack was dumped, then hit by are car resulting in paralysis from a broken spine and a broken jaw. After major surgery he was still incontinent but was able to move around using a wheelchair. There was no doubt about it, he as coming home, the perfect dog for me.

Fast forward almost one year and Jack is learning to walk. Both Jack and Louis love to play with our golden doodle Waffle. They are all so gentle and loving, I don’t know how anyone didn’t adopt them before us. We have also adopted Nana, a blind cat for the same rescue. Our home is a happy place full of odd but beautiful souls. They have shown me I am able to deal with more than I knew, and have given me the knowledge, care and dedication to deal with a house full of rescued and disabled pets.