18/07/2026
I've been very quiet on here recently.This is a hard post to write, so here goes...
I was diagnosed with stage 4 appendiceal cancer in February 2022, which was a huge shock.
I was currently a local dog walker and really enjoyed my job, but because of post operative complications from the second operation (and the most horrific one), I couldn't continue.
I had already bought a piece of land before all of this diagnosis malarkey and was planning on just using it for my own furry clients for a safe space to let them off lead, but fate stepped in and decided Central Bark should be born.
My recovery was very hard and the post op complications were tough to deal with. After around 6 months post op things seemed to be getting a little easier and I was able to do a bit more at my new Park.
Then came October 2025 when I had my first bowel obstruction. To those that have had an obstruction will know just how excruciating that pain is. My body decided to have 8 and is now in constant partial blockage due to cancer recurrence.
Now to our current timeline. I've been put on palliative care as there's nothing more they can do for me.
I want to thank all of our wonderful clients! old, new and yet to be. You have made my dream come true 🤍 and do hope you'll continue to come to my beautiful dog park, keeping her alive with paws, noses, tails and tongues hanging out!
I also want to thank my wonderful family that have helped and did more than their fare share before we opened, to present.
It's always me on the messages and taking phone calls but this will be transferred to my beautiful Wife Robyn at some point. Please bear with her as she is a full-time advanced paramedic (she hates me saying this 😂 I'm just so proud of her!) and she's already had to take over the grass cutting and maintenance of the grounds with my wonderful In-laws doing a huge amount to keep things running. They are dog daft too 🫶
If they're a little slow getting back to people or if everything at the park isn't quite as perfect as it usually is, please bear with them and show them a little patience, time, and understanding.
My beautiful wife, Robyn, and my amazing sister have taken on all of the admin, bookings, and day-to-day running of Central Bark while also working full-time, all while carrying the unimaginable weight of grief and loss. I know they'll do everything they can, and I couldn't be more grateful to them for keeping my dream alive.
There's been a few customers as well as myself and my family that have had to deal with abusive and anti social behaviour from the neighbours in number 8, right next to our footpath. In my view, the profound stress they put me through played a significant role in my recurrence, as all I did was worry about my wee business being destroyed before it even had a chance to begin. Thankfully this hasn't put too many people off and lots still come along. All they are looking for is people to react to them so they can try and get us shut down. So, just don't react and they'll not bother you.
Please continue to report them to the antisocial behaviour team for South Ayrshire and the police. We just want them moved on because this has become a game for them, but it's our lives. I Had to write this part as I can't leave this Earth knowing these people are getting away with everything they have done to us and the system.
Thank you for reading if you've made it this far.
I feel so proud to have built something that I can leave behind for all the beautiful people and their fur babies who come and enjoy my park. You all mean so much to me, and I hope Central Bark continues to bring you the same happiness, peace, and laughter that it brought me.
With all my love,
Sarah 🫶🐾
