Can man's best friend hold the key to a successful career, a happy relationship and the ever-elusive work-life balance?
Kate Macdougall Knihy
This charming memoir recounts the journey of a young woman who became a dog walker for London's affluent pet owners. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to London, dogs, and the process of growing up. The author reflects on her experiences, noting that while the dogs—ranging from exuberant Labradors to spoiled pugs—were a joy, the real challenge lay with their owners, a mix of overprotective, clueless, eccentric, and perfectionist personalities. Navigating the quirks of London dog owners proved more complex than anticipated, often requiring a deep understanding of human behavior rather than animal care. In 2006, after a mishap at Sotheby’s, where she worked in a mundane role, she took a leap of faith and launched her own dog-walking business, despite lacking experience in both dogs and entrepreneurship. Skeptics questioned the value of her university degree in this unconventional career choice. Yet, she embraced the chaos of her new life, branding her company as "London's Number One Dog Walking Agency." With humor and keen observations, she shares her unconventional coming-of-age story, revealing how her experiences with dogs and their owners transformed her from a disorganized twenty-something into a settled adult, navigating love, relationships, and home ownership. Ultimately, it’s the dogs who imparted invaluable lessons about life and the city she adores.
The hilarious and heartwarming debut novel by the author of London's No. 1 Dog-Walking Agency.