Not Just a Walk: Real Talk on Animal Welfare Week

Before the tick checks, we flop.

Animal Welfare Week? Around here, that’s not a campaign, it’s my daily job description.

If you think dog walking is just a gentle stroll and a few pats on the head, you’ve never seen me in action: mid-poo inspection, elbow-deep in grass seeds, or prying a half-eaten “street snack” out of a determined set of jaws.

Because for me, it’s never just a walk. It’s a full-blown welfare check, start to finish, every single time.

POO PATROL & MYSTERY MUNCHIES

Let’s get straight to the glamorous stuff: I am the queen of the poo inspection. If your dog’s doing their business, I’m right there, checking for anything weird, because changes in poo can be the first sign something’s up. And if there’s a suspicious snack on the ground? Doesn’t matter if it’s a sausage, a sandwich, or something I can’t even identify, I’m on it, prying open jaws and fishing it out before your fur kid can swallow. Glamorous? No. Necessary? Absolutely.

TICK CHECKS, SORE PAWS, AND THE "WHAT'S THAT SOUND" GAME

Every walk ends five minutes early in summer for a full tick check, ears, paws, and all those sneaky spots. Mud, rain, or sunshine, I’m running my hands over every coat, looking for grass seeds, sore paws, or anything that doesn’t belong. And if your dog makes a weird noise or starts limping, you bet I’m side-eyeing them like a suspicious parent at a toddler birthday party. Because “why are you breathing like that?” is a legit question, especially in Brisbane’s heat.

TAILORED WALKS FOR EVERY PET

Hot weather? Walks get shuffled so the flat-nosed, thick-coated, or senior pets hit the pavement before the sun does its worst. Some days, it’s early-morning adventures; other times, it’s indoor games and enrichment when the thermometer goes rogue. Every walk is matched to the pet’s needs: age, breed, health, and the wild mood swings of Queensland weather.

PREPARED FOR ANYTHING, BECAUSE "STUFF" HAPPENS

What’s in my car? Treats, tick remover, first aid kit (big enough for a small zoo), spare leashes, and towels. I’m ready for mud, storms, and the inevitable “my dog rolled in something unspeakable” moment. I don’t just turn up, I show up, prepared for whatever your pet throws at me (sometimes literally).

The glamour of pet care? You're looking at it.

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP. DROOL, DIRT, AND ALL

You’ll always get the real story after a visit: the good, the gross, and the “guess what your dog ate today” moments. I send post-walk selfies, honest updates, and all the details you need, because trust is built on transparency, not just cute photos (though there’s plenty of those, too).

IT'S NEVER "JUST A WALK"

Animal welfare isn’t a checkbox for me, it’s the heart of what I do. Every little check, every weird cough, every odd poo is a chance to catch something early and keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe. So next time you see me out there, covered in mud and wrangling a treat-hunting hound, know I’m doing it for the love of your fur kid, and maybe a little for the story I’ll tell later.

Now, your turn: what’s the most ridiculous or loving thing you’ve done for your pets?

Drop your confessions below. I want to hear the wild, the weird, and the wonderful!