ABOUT BEST PAW FORWARD - OUR HISTORY AND 'MEET THE TEAM'
We do understand how difficult it is to decide who to leave your beloved pets with, but with a wealth of experience, full liability insurance and a love of animals please consider us and give us a ring for an informal chat under no obligation. You don't have to make a decision on the phone, after talking you can have a think about Best Paw Forward looking after your pet and get back to me when you are ready.
My name is Terry and I have always lived in the Hastings & Rother area. Both my wife and I have long thought about working with animals, and so in 2014 I started Best Paw Forward, and as it grew my wife has joined me full-time too.
I have over many years experience with dogs, and have had a Golden Retriever, two Labradors, a Samoyed called Sam (my first dog, in 1985), and a Japanese Shiba Inu. Tai the Shiba was a particularly challenging rescue dog who was fearful and aggressive but settled down in time and lived to the age of 16 before sadly passing away following a stroke. Both my wife and I love all animals and are often busy rescuing animals when we are out and about, though of course we do not let it interfere with walking our client's dogs. It is often dogs that have escaped and need taking home or to a vet for scanning (for example we found 12 of these in 2017 and 8 in 2018) , but there are often wildlife casualties that need taking to the RSPCA at Mallydams, frequently gulls but other things such as moorhens and swans. A badger placed on the passenger seat that kept changing the radio channels with her nose en route was particularly memorable! Sheep and lambs feature heavily in rescues, and on 1 occasion even a human, we came across a lady walking a dog who suffered a nasty injury (dislocation) falling in woods and we were able to help her and her dog home safely before she then attended hospital for treatment.We always keep a pet carrier and blankets in the car or van just in case, as well as a pet first aid kit. If we are busy on a walk or on our way to one we get the other member of the team, or a wildlife rescue organisation, to attend.
My wife Julie joined me in the business in October 2015 and has over twenty five years experience with dogs and has a qualification in canine behaviour. Her first was Chad, a lively, cheeky Golden Labrador who lived life to the full. Epilepsy and cancer didn’t stop him, and he bounced back after chemotheraphy to have several more happy years before a second type of cancer arrived and was sadly incurable. Then came Martha the black Larador, who arrived with Julie aged seven having been a breeding bitch, and when Julie and Terry moved in together Martha enjoyed having two people to give her attention.She too sadly died of cancer but had a happy retirement and was a wonderful happy, loving dog.
Then in 2012 a black Labrador age 10 called Rowley arrived with us, whose owner had sadly died. He was another with epilepsy, along with chronic arthiritis, elbow dysplasia, laryngeal paralysis and a nervous nature, but careful diet, adjustment to get his weight down, and moderating his exercise, along with appropriate medication, made him much fitter,healthier and happier. He lost the use of his back legs in 2016 but thanks to a wheelchair from bestfriendmobility.net he had freedom and independence until a short illness got the better of him and he sadly died at home in September 2016.
Our current dog Jasmine, a Golden Retriever, joined us in March 2021. We had walked her for around three years for her owner, and when they suddenly passed away we were pleased to offer Jasmine a home. She is an important member of the team, she is kind and gentle with the dogs we walk when she accompanies them.
Hopefully this will give you an idea of our love of animals, and be assured that we will always treat your pet as our own, with kindness and consideration. We do this job for the love of it and aim to keep the animals as safe and happy as is possible. We don't use anyone else to cover bookings either paid or unpaid, so it will always be one or both of us that carries out your booking.
