Woodland Paws

16/07/2026

Layla, Lay Lay, Layla Pooch, Layla Bean, Princess Layla

A very late tribute to our Layla, but true to Layla, slow and steady x

Layla joined us over 8 years ago, when she was moving out of our fellow dog walkers area. Of course we said yes, and our lovely Layla was the bestest, funniest bean from the start.

She had unfortunately developed a habit with her previous dog walker, which required her to be rolled out of bed ready for her walk. Once her collar and lead were on, she remembered she had legs, and would trot happily to the van. Luckily her mum and dad forewarned us of this when she started, so we didn’t feel too guilty rolling her out of bed on a daily basis, whether that was her brother or sisters, her mum and dads, and very occasionally her own :)

Layla would be anyone's friend, she was never grumpy, and even in the last couple of years, when she was uncomfortable, she never had an off day. Her secret bestie was Minnie, or was Layla, Minnie’s bestie? It was only when Minnie’s mum pointed it out, and asked who her friend was we realised. They would spend lots of time together, and nearly all the group shots had them sitting next to each other. Minnie’s mum and Grandma would always ask about Princess Layla too.

Layla couldn’t catch a sweet to save her life, no matter how many lessons Paul gave her, a count down, and slow throw, she just couldn’t get the knack. So instead, she would stick her tongue out, and you could smoosh one in for her. She was such a funny little bean.

Layla joined us on all our adventures, and loved nothing more than a sk**ky puddle to bog in or mud to lap up, until she found the troughs at one of our favourite walks. Now Layla wasn’t the most agile, but she would launch herself into a trough for a bath, which happened to be a very useful trick in the summer when we all needed to cool down and Laylay would self dunk!

Layla was only 9 and half, but it became apparent quite quickly that Layla was starting to struggle on her walks, she was getting slower and slower, but still brought her smile every time. We dropped her walks down, so she had rest days in between. Special requests were made to stay on the same days as Minnie, but even those got too much. I had thought that we could get Zak’s buggy out, and she could still join us, but after a few weeks off after an arthritic flare up, and a funny turn, Layla told us walks were too much.

I gave her a kiss and a cuddle, told her that was absolutely fine, and she began her life in retirement, knowing I had plans to see her for visits in the not so distant future.

Layla lapped up her retirement, and spent sunny days in the garden, and doing secret toilet trips under the trampoline for her dad to keep him on his toes. :)

Princess Laylay, didn’t quite get to spend as long as we had all hoped in her retirement phase, and one morning, ironically as I picked up Minnie, I had a message to say Layla had headed off to her next adventure.

Finding the words to accompany an emotion of losing a friend, who you only spend a small amount of their life with is hard. These friends are so loved, and from the moment they join the family we love them. Sweet Layla, I truly hope I see you again sweetheart. ###

Thank you for being our Layla Beanie! xx

14/07/2026

Some very proud summer faces 😁🐾

16/06/2026

At the beginning of May, Woodland Paws made a big change, we downsized, and Reece and Kate started their new ventures. As with everything WP, it was a team effort, with clients at the very heart of giving everyone the best possible.

Kate has started her venture following very closely to Woodland Paws ethos, and carrying on the natural way, encouraging engagement with the environment, putting those noses to good use finding some foraging delicacies, all whilst teaching good manners, and of course the obligatory group shot!

A hugely valued member of the team Kate remains a very big part of WP, helping out with holiday cover, catching up on joint walks and coming up with various ideas on how to improve our services, or spitballing Christmas present ideas.

Please support Kate in her new venture and like, share, follow, subscribe, or whatever you need to do these days 😆

19/05/2026

Playing in the buttercups 🌼 This afternoon.
Margot understood the task. Get in every photo 😆

Funny bunch 😁

01/03/2026

Sometimes, there's one that catches you out. We're 5 weeks on, and I still want to see her in the diary and it didn't happen! 😭 At just 7½ Cassie got poorly very quickly, and was diagnosed with Horners Syndrome. She stretched out every moment she could, and his it all, until she couldn't 💔

In March 2019 I had a call from a young lad who wanted me to start walking his mum's dog. She struggled with her mobility and she wanted the best for Cassie!

Of course I said yes, and went to meet, a 6 month old, docked, and cropped Doberman. I'm not a breedist in the slightest, and this goofball of a girl rocked into our lives! If there was ever an oxymoron, Cassie's looks and her personality were it!

What a tinker in the beginning, she was a monkey, her ears had not been placed in the listening position, but her tiny little stump gave the cutest little wiggle.

If you could personify free spirited it would be Cassie. She never gave a hoot, she took everything in her stride, she taught puppies how to be naughty ;) and scream in the van when we rocked up to a walk, and that girl stayed a puppy forever!

As she matured... To a fashion... she enjoyed tracking deer and running through the woods, in her high Viz waterproof, because she'd convinced her mum that rain was the worst thing in the world... Which she always forgot when she stepped out of the van 😆

She would be waiting at the window ears pricked watching for the van, and then the on the spot zoomies, combined with a bit of sofa parkour would begin. Mum, a chatterbox, always used to want to fill us in on all the gossip, much to Cassie's delight... Not... She would stare into your soul "stop talking let's go" only to come back from her walk a couple of hours later, to convince her mum she'd had a terrible time, and must immediately try for a second attempt.

There is NO denying that Cassie had us demented at times, but if her lesson was anything, it was to live it all, every moment you're given at full speed and maximum enjoyment, and ALWAYS dish out kisses! Until next time sweetheart 💜💛

X###

26/12/2025

A shout out for another new start up business, the daughter of one of our clients, the most beautiful embroidery I ever did see! Feel like I probably need to start a shopping list 🙏😍

A beautiful gift from the very beautiful ! I'm not sure I was posh enough to receive such a gift! Incredible quality, beautifully made, and exquisitely wrapped!

26/12/2025

Shout out to our lovely client Gemma, Blackman's Blooms, who earlier this year decided that following her passion was the way forward!

Ever an advocate for this, I've been buying bouquets from Gemma throughout the year. Of course when she said she was making Christmas Bouquets and Wreaths I popped my order in with plenty of time!!!

Christmas flowers all round and they're just beautiful!
I think a monthly flowers subscription is just on the cards for next year!

07/11/2025

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