My Story
Hi I’m Rachel and I’m a crazy dog lady.
It all began back in 2009 when I adopted my first dog, Daisy, after my friend Jane asked me to look after her for a few weeks.
At the time I was working as a freelance journalist and I never thought I could have a dog.
But once she came into my life, it changed forever and, like many new pet parents, I never wanted to be apart from her.
As a journalist, this led me to writing about dogs, pet-friendly places, and the incredible people making a difference for animals.
The Paw Post started as a passion project – and now, it’s returning to its roots.
Having Daisy sparked an obsession with dogs and people making a difference. I started researching and writing about pet rescues, charities, and those dedicating their lives to helping animals.
Rescues, charities, people like Hannah Capon from Canine Arthritis Management who is on a mission to educate owners so dogs don’t suffer pain.
Jade Statt, co-founder of StreetVet who help people living on the streets care for their pets and often rebuild their lives.
Carla Finzel, a vet nurse who is on a mission to make sure every pet parent has access to a district vet nurse who can visit their pet in their home.
I loved sharing these stories, and I wanted a platform where I could write freely – so in May 2017, The Paw Post began.
I thought Daisy and I had plenty of years to look forward to.
We won a place in Vuelio’s Top 10 UK Pet Blogs and had visitors from all over the world.
But, less than a year later, in April 2018, Daisy crossed the rainbow bridge.
She had been diagnosed with dementia, then a brain tumour.
Losing her was heartbreaking and even tougher as I’d put us both very much ‘out there!’
How do you have a pet blog when you don’t have a pet?
It was tough.
But writing about senior dog care, loss, and grief helped me process it and I know sharing her story has helped dog lovers globally.
During that time, I connected with amazing pet parents who shared their own inspiring stories:
Cate shared her beautiful boy Doug the Pug Therapy Dog had taught children to read and comforted thousands of people.
I bawled during an interview with Influencer expert Paula who told how her rescue dogs changed her life after she lost her dad.
Then, another little gorgeous terrier Patch came into my life, and I wrote about what it’s like to adopt a dog after loss.
The blog has continued, but with fewer posts over the last few years.
Running a business takes time and focus, and as much as I love The Paw Post, it had to take a back seat.
Now, I’m excited to bring it back as a space for stories that truly matter to me.
I’ll be sharing dog-friendly travel reviews, interviews with inspiring people in the pet world, behind-the-scenes stories from my holiday cottage, Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay, and dog-mum life with Patch.
If you’re a pet parent, you can check out the latest blog posts here.
If you’re a pet business and would like to learn more about working with me, head here.
