My pets have brought me so much pleasure over the years and it has been a real learning curve owning and caring for my own animals. It has also enabled me to make new friends, through dog agility, riding club events and simply meeting people when walking my dogs. We had 2 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Whisper and Perry.  A bit of a mouthful so they’re known as Tollers for short!  You may well have seen us out on our walks. In April 2010 we lost our first dog - our wonderful Labrador, Bunty.  We still miss her... In March 2011 we were lucky enough to bring home a lovely black Lab we called Dixie.  The whole litter of pups were so even in temperament, character etc. that it was extremely difficult to choose a single pup!  An absolute credit to their breeder, Jenny Watt from Laxfield.  In the end we chose the pup that showed a fondness for water by trying to swim in her water bowl!  An ideal qualification to join our two Tollers.  Life once more became a challenge and a joy but we watched Dixie grow into a beautiful black lab. Sadly our eldest (Whisper) passed away on New Year’s eve 2014 but thankfully we still had Perry and Dixie. In December 2017 we brought home a new little Toller pup called Jasmine.  She travelled from a snowy Herefordshire in a crate in the back of our car.  Lying beside her were our two other dogs.  Jasmine howled much of the way home.  Our dogs were so relieved to get home and be able to leap out of the car with a look that said ‘never again’!  It’s a funny thing though, once inside her new home Jasmine settled immediately and our dogs became friends with her - or should I say they tolerated her?  We closed the business for a month to give us all time to adjust to our new arrival, and for Jasmine to have her vaccinations and begin her training. We did know, however, that Perry, our other Toller was very much on borrowed time.  She had mass cell tumours removed twice and we had successfully kept others at bay with a regime of medication advised by our vet.  Finally, though, they had returned after 2½ years of great quality of life on this treatment so we had to say goodbye to Perry on January 6th this year (2018).  It was heartbreaking, particularly for Dixie who has lost her soul mate.  Initially she refused to have anything to do with Jasmine but gradually Jasmine won her over and thank goodness she did.  They are now firm friends and adore each other.  Phew… 2018 has been a difficult year in may ways.  We also had to let our lovely cats go over the Rainbow Bridge in November.  They were 17 year old siblings.  Owning a pet is such a joy until you have to make that final decision. and we do it out of love for them, but it is still very hard to bear… I am lucky enough to have been able to turn my hobby (though I would class my pets as more than a hobby) into a living.  There has been a real need for someone local to care for other peoples’ pets, not only on a regular basis but also for one-off emergencies etc. I’ve thought about the different occasions when I’ve needed someone to care for my pets and without the wonderful support from my neighbours I would have been lost. I realise that not everyone is a lucky as me so I hope the services I can provide will fill that gap for you, whenever you need it. For your peace of mind I am Police (CRB) checked and clear.  I am SCDC licenced under the new DEFRA rules and regulations and have been awarded 5 stars.  I have insurance and can supply references.  My car is fitted with guards to ensure your pets (and mine) travel safely. To further my knowledge I enrolled on a COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) Professional Pet Sitters course which I successfully passed. If you think I can assist you with your pet care responsibilities, now or in the future, please do contact me. Call me on Mobile: 07747 034 031 or Landline: 01394 410 346 or email  cass@time4paws.co.uk