12/06/2026
WILD RIVER IS 4 🥹🎈
Four years ago, we opened the gates to a dream and hoped a few people might come along for the ride.
Fast forward to today, and Wild River has become so much more than a dog park.
It’s early morning coffees before work. It’s muddy paws and wagging tails. It’s catching up with friends, making new ones, celebrating the good days and finding a little bit of peace on the hard ones.
We honestly can’t believe where the time has gone.
To our regulars who brave the rain, wind and every classic Northern Ireland weather warning going, thank you. To those who have only just discovered us - welcome, we’re so glad you found us. And to everyone who pops in just for a coffee and a bake (there are more of you than you think! ☕️😂), thank you for keeping us busy too.
What many people don’t realise is that behind Wild River is just the three of us.
Shannon, Siobhan and Kath.
A daughter, a mum and a best friend who became family.
There isn’t a big team behind the scenes. No head office. No investors. Just us.
Three women who took a chance on a dream and have spent the last four years pouring their hearts into every corner of Wild River.
The truth is, Wild River is rarely left at the gate when we lock up at night.
It’s the conversations around our kitchen tables. The voice notes full of new ideas. The excitement of planning something special. The constant wondering if people will love it as much as we do. The weather checks every five minutes. The sigh of relief when the sun comes out. The pride we feel when we see a full park, happy dogs and people making memories here.
It’s the first thing we think about in the morning and often the last thing we think about before we go to sleep.
Because Wild River has never just been a business to us. It’s our passion, our purpose and one of the things we’re most proud of.
Every booking, every coffee, every traybake and every kind word genuinely matters because this little dream is personal to us.
Over the last four years we’ve watched puppies grow up, celebrated birthdays and gotcha days, welcomed new dogs, said goodbye to beloved ones, and met some of the kindest people we could ever have hoped to know. The friendships we’ve made here, both human and canine…are something we’ll treasure forever.
We set out to create a place where dogs could run free, but somewhere along the way Wild River became a community.
And that’s what we’re most proud of.
Not the parks. Not the coffee shop. The people.
The familiar faces who show up every week. The people who brave the rain, the wind and the mud because their dog loves it here. The customers who don’t even have a dog and still call in for a coffee and a chat. The friendships formed around picnic benches. The support you’ve shown us through every season.
You have given us more than a business.
You have given us purpose.
Our hope has always been that Wild River feels like a little escape from the world. Somewhere you can leave your worries at the gate for an hour, breathe in some fresh air, laugh with other dog owners and spend quality time with the dog who loves you more than anything.
When life feels heavy, we hope Wild River feels a little lighter.
And because birthdays should be celebrated properly… 🎂🐾
This weekend we’ll be giving out FREE pup cups to all visiting dogs, and we’ve launched a special Birthday Cake Latte & Birthday Cake Matcha to mark the occasion.
Made using a housemade birthday cake syrup created by Shannon (our self-appointed drinks queen 👑☕️), think cake batter, birthday sprinkles and a little bit of nostalgia in a cup.
Thank you for helping us turn a dream into a reality. Thank you for choosing local. Thank you for choosing us.
Here’s to four years of muddy paws, wagging tails, coffees, cookies, friendships and memories.
And here’s to many more. 🤍
Love always,
The Wild River Girls x 🐾☕️✨
