My love of animals began with my dog Whisky who I grew up with.  Whisky was a mixed breed and the perfect family pet.  I recall growing up asking my Dad for a tiger.  He said I’d need a special license to which I just suggested he simply went to the Post Office to apply for one.  Instead, I had my first cat Tigger (a tabby) who was semi-feral and only four weeks old at the time but with love and care he became a perfect family cat – with no license being required!

After that I had more cats, Maui, Amber, Kobi and now Kiki.  All, except Amber were from the RSPCA or the Cats Protection League.  When we moved to Worcestershire we had Ella, our first Goldie who we had from eight weeks of age.  In time we wanted a second dog so we decided to have a litter with Ella which was the most amazing experience. From that litter we kept Bailey, with Ella’s other siblings going to lovely families who we still see and hear from.  We now have Hudson our third Goldie “because two were just not enough”!

I have volunteered at Worcester Animal Rescue Shelter and Vale Wildlife Hospital and many of our holidays have revolved around wildlife or involved visits to animal sanctuaries and of course petting and feeding the stray dogs and cats.

Roger’s first love of animals began with his Red Setter Cleo who he lived with from a very young age. Then came Scamp who was a Yorkshire Terrier followed by a variety of small pets including gerbils, a tortoise, a budgerigar and an African Grey Parrot.

Ben and Kim were the next family pets, Roger’s beloved Black Labradors.  Both were his faithful friends, so much so that when he went on his round the world gap year, he returned early as he missed them so much.

When he is not spending time with his dogs he can always be found outside both gardening and growing an abundance of  fruit and vegetables (of which Ella, Bailey and Hudson are quite partial to helping themselves to). Roger, Ella,  Bailey and Hudson have a close affinity with Gardeners World and often mistake themselves as Monty Don, Nigel (sadly now departed) and Nelly.

Anna’s love of animals started at a very young age growing up on her family’s farm, surrounded by cows, sheep, horses.   Bizarrely Anna’s  Dad brought home an eagle and a peacock once.   But Anna has always had numerous dogs of varying breeds running around the farm.

When working as a calf rearer on the farm Anna always had her five dogs at her feet, Blue, Lily, Charlie, Poppy and Ruby.  One of her favourite things has always been walking them through the open countryside.

Anna has also worked as a NASDU dog handler in security alongside her partner in crime, Vada the German Shepard.

Anna is Canine First Aid trained and DBS checked.

Having been brought up from a young age with poodles, Gary had no choice but to  appreciate canine companionship and grooming beauty regimes.

 Becoming an independent adult Gary  found that two beautiful cats (Boysie and Tabatha) suited his working lifestyle better.  However, he was still able to volunteer at the Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service (BARKS) for two years.  He was primarily responsible for cats, rabbits and guinea pigs when owners could, sadly, no longer care for their beloved pets until they were re-homed.

 Then came Joey (pictured), a Patterdale that totally took over Gary’s  life. He  enjoyed many walks with him engaging parks and fields and summer trips to the coast. Happy memories.  Gary is sure he is still chasing anything that moves in doggie heaven. 

Gary is Canine First Aid trained and DBS checked.