I wasn’t born a “dog person.”

Most stories I hear start their story with, “I’ve loved puppies since I was in diapers.” I wish, but that’s not my story.

I spent my childhood crossing the street to avoid anything with a tail. I didn’t grow up with animals; I grew up with a healthy, paralyzing respect for their unpredictability.

Everything changed when my parents got Ozzie. I was away at university, living in a different country, but this one dog managed to dismantle a lifetime of fear. I couldn’t resist him. Soon thereafter, I couldn’t resist any dog.

Choosing a different pace.

I started by pet sitting for friends and family. As I became more involved in the local dog community in Junqueiro and along the Coast, I realized that while there are excellent services designed for high-energy group socialization and pack runs – which are vital for most dogs – there was a gap for those who need something quieter.

I didn’t build PawDates to replace the “pack” model, I built it to provide an alternative. Some dogs thrive in a group of ten, running through the woods, other dogs – and their owners – need a different rhythm. There’s a time and a place for both. We compliment each other.