Hello
I'm Laura and I love dogs. I also love humans.
I want to help as many people as I can ditch the Sunday Scaries and Monday Blues, by setting up their own dog business! I have the privilege of caring for dogs as my job, and it's the best job in the world. I want you to feel the same passion and fulfillment in your work as I do, and I want to help you get there.
My Story
My dog journey started 18 years ago when Pablo our puppy border terrier joined our little family. He was our 1st dog and we had no idea just how much he would change our lives.
When pablo was 18 months old we went back to his breeder to get another pup, and ended up with his full sister Flame. Then 2 years after we adopted beautiful Bailey a staffy. During this time I was working from home and Stuart was working away more and more. I was feeling really lonely and missing human company during the day - I'm not a lone wolf.
During my 'daily donners' with the crew I began to meet and form friendships with more and more of our neighbours. Because I worked from home I offered to help out if they were stuck at work and needed their dog taken for a walk, that turned into looking after their dogs when they went out for the day, and then to having them stay with us for their doggy holidays! These 6 neighbour dogs were the beginnings of my own dog business Tails of Tranquility.
Pretty quickly I realised how much happier I was, building a community of lovely people and getting to spend my days with dog companionship.
I wondered if I could grow my tiny part time business, could I make a real living from this, and could it become a family business where Stuart could leave his job?
So 14 years ago in April I decided to give it a real shot, I didn't really have anything to lose.
I built a website, started a facebook business page and designed some flyers. We spent evenings and weekends visiting vet surgeries, pet shops, supermart community boards and anywhere else I could think that dog owners would find us.
6 months later Stuart left his job and we moved to a detached bungalow and we were offering 2 dog walking sessions per day, 6 daycare slots a day and 2 home boarding slots. Pretty soon we needed help and our 1st team member joined us to help me walk my daycare group. Then stuart needed help on his walks, so now we were a team of 4!
Fast forward 8 years and we have moved again, to a cottage set on an acre, have a 7 year old son, are a team of 7 and care for 35+ dogs a day.
I have learned SO much over the years, from the dogs, their owners, dog behaviourists, dog trainers, vets, and business mentors. I've made mistakes, I have grown in confidence, and I have gained vast experience. I love sharing what I have learned (sometimes the hard way), with other people who want to live their dog job dreams. I want everyone to feel how we do at work and help the nation banish the Monday Blues!
Laura