I'm Nikki...

I have been a professional dog walker since 2017 but have looked after dogs and cats all of my life.

I grew up in Scotland, my family rescued German Shepherds and I walked and cared for them from an early age.  I guess you always have a soft spot for the breeds you have spent a lot of time with and I absolutely adore this breed.

I can't really choose a favourite breed, I have bonded with a lot of dogs from small fluffy pomeranians, dachshunds and terriers to pitbull, boxers and rottweiler mixes.  I have walked and cared for puppies and adult dogs, trained and untrained with a variety of needs and behaviours.  I have experience with rescues and street dogs.  Watching a dog settle in, grow, become confident, happy and healthy is very rewarding.  

In 2017 I decided that my love of animals and dogs was really the only job I wanted to do fulltime and I began making this happen, I worked self employed alongside a dog walking agency based in London which was where I lived at the time, I spent 6 - 8 hours / day each day with dogs, walking, feeding, training, playing, sitting and boarding them.

When the time came that I was leaving London I was very sad to leave those dogs (and cats) behind.  Every single one of them has a place in my heart and stories that I will never forget.  

I moved to Oxfordshire at the end of 2020 and was determined to continue working alongside animals, I began volunteering at animal centres and letting people know I was available to care for their dogs, cats and pets.

Animals other than dogs and cats I have experience with and am happy to visit / pet sit for include hamsters, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, lizards, snakes, tortoises, birds, parrots/conures. 

I am also a dog parent, Ariel the Yorkie/Silky came to me in 2015 when she was two years old.  She was a very nervous, scared and sweet little dog.  We bonded immediately.  It took a while to get her walking and playing in the park as she was terrified of people and other dogs.  She is now, a very happy, playful and talkative little terrier who is just ok with other people and dogs, she's happy to share her space and toys but she will never play with another dog and will mostly always tell them no if they want to touch or sniff her.  She has been on many of the dog walks and enjoyed many sleepovers too.  In 2022 we adopted Lewy, he is a terrier mix, a very sweet, happy, independent and cheeky boy, he didn't come with any history on him but we are working on all of his fears, insecurities and dietary issues.  He is really settling in and enjoying family life.  

There are many things I love about being out on a walk - but one of my favourite things is that moment mid walk when the dogs have been loving life, running, sniffing and playing and so we stop for a drink and a treat and a cuddle and they're just so happy and full of smiles, wags and kisses.  

I love all of my furry friends and the most wonderful thing to be able to say is I love my job.

 

Nikki