Bramble & Bark

08/06/2026

I'll be honest, I'm both annoyed and somewhat embarrassed that I've been put in a position where I feel the need to make a post like this. I'd much rather spend my time sharing photos of your dogs and talking about the walks we've had than publicly addressing payment issues. Unfortunately, after repeated late payments, ignored reminders, and weekends spent chasing money owed for work already completed, I feel I have no choice but to be clear about my expectations going forward.

No payment, no walks.

I'm done spending my weekends chasing payments for work that has already been completed. Reminders have been sent, messages have been seen, and some have simply been ignored. That is no longer acceptable.

It's a shame it's come to this, but constantly having to chase payments weekend after weekend is draining and takes time away from my family, my own dogs, and the downtime I work hard for.

Going forward, payment for all walks must be received by close of business on Friday. If payment for the previous week's walks has not been received, please assume your dog is not in the diary for the upcoming week. Walks will only be reinstated once the account is brought up to date.

If anyone is finding weekly payments difficult and would prefer to manage their cash flow with monthly payments, that's absolutely fine. However, monthly payments must be made in advance for the upcoming month.

Like everyone else, I have bills to pay. I run a busy business, care for my own dogs, and I am a single-income household. I should not have to repeatedly ask to be paid for services that have already been provided.

I take my job seriously, I turn up in all weathers, and I give your dogs the care, attention, and exercise they deserve. All I ask in return is to be paid on time.

Thank you to the many clients who pay promptly every week. It is genuinely appreciated.

I am fortunate to be very busy, which I'm incredibly grateful for. However, because demand for spaces is high, I can no longer reserve diary slots for unpaid accounts. Spaces will be allocated on a first paid, first booked basis.

05/06/2026

❤️

05/06/2026

🌾

05/06/2026

Running into the weekend 🏃

05/06/2026

Friday feeling 💃

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

Here’s to all the dog walkers who have had to cancel walks this week.

To the ones living paycheck to paycheck, making the heartbreaking decision to put the welfare of the dogs first — even when rent is due, bills are piling up, and the food shop still needs paying for.

You are my heroes.

I feel incredibly lucky that my main outgoings are my vehicles, because I know for so many others, these weather extremes are hitting hard. And sadly, this is becoming our new normal — wet winters, unbearable spring and summer heat, one extreme after another.

Over the couple of years, so many new dog walkers have started their businesses, stepping into this industry at one of the toughest times imaginable.

The weather hasn’t just affected our income — it’s affected our mental health too. The stress, the uncertainty, the constant worry… it takes its toll.

And on top of all that, the cost of living has risen so dramatically.

Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, insurance, food prices, rent, mortgages, utilities — everything has gone up, while many of us are earning less because of cancelled walks and unsafe temperatures.

It’s an exhausting balance trying to keep a business afloat while also trying to survive personally. For so many dog walkers, it feels like no matter how hard we work, we’re constantly trying to catch up.

But still, we keep going.

Why?

Because this is more than just a job to us. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a passion. It’s something we pour our whole hearts into every single day.

No matter the weather, no matter the setbacks, we continue showing up because we love these dogs like they’re our own.

So to every dog walker struggling quietly this week — I see you, I respect you, and I hope you’re proud of yourself for putting the dogs first, even when it costs you.

17/05/2026

10/05/2026

08/05/2026

Gimli 🐾😍