Dianne and her mother, Dorothy Lewis, are well-known in Killcare and usually the first port of call for people who need their cats fed, plants watered and dogs walked. People also knew their beautiful little dog, Clancy (see below), who unfortunately died suddenly last year.

Dianne

I returned from living in the UK as my parents were aging and needed help. We moved out of Sydney and up to Killcare, where friends of mine had lived for some years. My friend thought there was an opening for a dog walking business, so I made up some flyers, talked to people with dogs and handed out my information. It took about 12 months of advertising at the local school and on shop notice boards to start off but now it is just by word of mouth – everyone knows ‘the dog lady'. Not many people can say that ‘the beach is their office' or get paid to exercise. The best part of the job is having four-legged friends with me, enjoying early morning walks on the beach and watching the animals interact with each other.

I also have some wonderful cats that I feed and groom who look forward to my twice daily visits.

Dorothy

My mother Dorothy, who is 87, is my backstop. She makes my breakfast and lunch and does little jobs for me so I can give my full attention to the business. I couldn't run the business without her. She loves our 4-legged friends and they call her Grandma Dorothy.

Clancy

Clancy came to us when he was one. A friend of mine who does Doggie Rescue had him at her place over a weekend and Mum and I fell in love with him. He was the dearest little guy who loved all my other dogs. I always said he was a doggie from Heaven and at the age of six he was returned there, having, I believe been stung by a bee for the second time and the last was fatal. Mum and I miss him very much and he will live long in our hearts.