Morning, have been trying to get this very necessary surgery performed for nearly 18 months. Have had to be in a job with just cats to look after, because I wouldn’t be able to put boots or shoes on to walk dogs, muck out stables or anything else for that matter. I am here with Holly and Mitten and they just sit on me on the sofa or in bed. So had surgery done yesterday and I am relaxing with feet up for couple weeks. Thought you might like to see my poor little toes. Love E x

Well I arrived yesterday at my next job in Surrey. Very sad to leave Frank and Zola. So happy to be back here again though been about 9 months since I was last here and the ‘kittens’ are very grown up now. Had a lie in this morning and guess what? I am on the sofa with a nice cup of tea, 2 delicious black cats asleep on my lap (bit of a squeeze but I’m not complaining) and Leinster v Scarlets rugby match about to start on TV. Ooh I’m almost in Heaven. Lots love E x

Hi everyone. Fully ensconced in Sevenoaks now with Tally and Nell. Wonderful walks in the woods known locally as Sevenoaks Common. Yesterday there was a severe frost and when the sun started to filter through the trees and lit up the frost,the field nearby looked like it was a lake. It was strange to walk by it later and see it was green again. Met a golden Labradoodle as well, I have only ever seen or heard of black ones, (Tally and Nell are black) so that was quite a surprise. I heard a cuckoo this morning, my first this year.
Cup of tea now then off to the woods. It is so peaceful and quiet, well not of birds! at this time of the day. Nell and Tally dance about in the kitchen until we go out so never any harm heading off early. Have a lovely Easter weekend.
Lots of ove E x

Tara, George, White Tip and I met ‘Rob the Gardener’ on our walk yesterday. He was introduced to All the animals, White Tip was almost too busy to chat as she was seeing if she could run up and down every tree in the woods. Eventually she deigned to join us for a nice cup of tea in Rob’s shed. What a sweet little place, full of clay pots, plants rooting, a little bench, a small wood burning stove and a simmering kettle. We had chocolate digestives and a seat by the fire, there was a very cold wind and it was lovely to be indoors. Rob told me about his work and his family and asked me to say hello to Esme and Dexter, who are loving the ‘Maisie the Animal Minder’ series of children’s picture books. left my darlings last night, my heart aching, almost unbearable, totally fallen in love with them. Now near Horsham with Brittany Spaniel puppy Bertie. Here until 2 January. The wonderful clients have arranged for Christmas Dinner to be delivered to me from local pub. They were kind enough to do this for me last year as well. Dearest Muffin was still here then and he loved his Christmas Dinner of turkey and beef that was delivered too. Speak soon love E

Hi all, have been walking in Sevenoaks Common, which is not open ground but woods really, with a track through it. I don’t know if its been very dry here, but walking in the rain there yesterday morning it was like the woods had come alive and were delighted with the rain. A lot of trees are down and have been for a long time from when we had that great storm some years ago. I was wondering if this was where the seven oaks were that named the town. I seem to recall some of them were blown down. I’m calling at local paper offices this morning to show them Fergus and the Deer which is set in Sevenoaks. Hoping they will write a story about Maisie the Animal Minder childrens picture books. that’s all for now, having fab time with Nell and Tally the lovely Labradoodles. Love E x

Hi all spent a lovely day yesterday with Molly and puppy Ruby. Two of the most delicious dogs I’ve ever come across. We had some lovely walks in the gorgeous Surrey countryside. The family were in London for the day where they went to see Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, so I had the pleasure of Molly and Ruby’s company. I left 2 Maisie the Animal Minder books for the client as she said how much her grandchildren enjoy children’s picture books, especially about animals. Hope I see them again. Love E x

Hello, I did it! I managed to put a photo on my blog. Trouble is I’m not sure how, so a bit more practise needed yet a while. My clients have had lots of visitors to see them and one of them was Penelope Pug’s owner! She couldn’t believe I knew her dog and she had been mentioned in dispatches. I’ll always remember the knitted black coat with huge pink P on it. Morning, I know you said you would follow my blog now, so please send me a photo of Penelope in her coat if you can. Yesterday we met Ronnie, a Border Terrier puppy, only 12 weeks old, and he has the yummiest, scrummiest puppy tummy ever, all round and gorgeous, impossible not to tickle!
I leave London early this morning for Surrey, where I’ll be for a week or so looking after 3 Bearded Collies. My good friend Jacqui lives nearby so hope to catch up with her while I’m there, I haven’t forgotten I owe you dinner. I’ll post new photo in a couple of days. Love E x

Morning everyone, my clients and their new baby are home now. I am here for a couple more days to help with Bella. Meeting Judy and Caspa at 8.30 for usual Sunday morning walk and breakfast. Had lovely time yesterday wandering around Chelsea food market, eating and trying so much fabulous food, especially the cheeses. On a different note, I’m trying to work out how to put photos on my blog, it’s been suggested I put some pictures of where I’m walking each time and see if you can recognise where it is. Let me know if you like this idea, I think you can do this on the page, (in fact you can do this with any of my blogs, it would be great to hear from you.) I can make it as easy or as tricky as you would like. so all being well there will be a photo with this blog, if not please be patient while I work it out. Speak soon lots love E x

Morning everyone, met up for lunch yesterday, with Penny Haynes, illustrator of my children’s picture book series, Maisie the Animal Minder. She showed me her illustrations of Fergus and the Deer, second book in Maisie series, ready for publishers, Spiderwize, any day now. Looks absolutely fantastic. We are planning another competition for Maisie website and Penny will give a truly wonderful prize of an illustration of you and your pet, in the style of a Maisie drawing, so keep your eyes open for that. You can win and own a one and only piece of artwork. I now have two different jobs to go to now my other job came to an abrupt halt. My client, thankfully seems to be all clear in her tests, so that’s tmost important thing, and I will be meeting two new sets of clients. I am meeting a Southampton Echo journalist next week for interview and photos so that’s very exciting. A little bird has told me of Maisie books selling well in Ireland and USA on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, and people asking at Waterstones stores around the country for copies, thank you so much, and to all the smaller independent bookshops, who are happily stocking and selling Maisie books. I have had a very interesting query from a national children’s tv channel looking at an animated series of Maisie. Oh my goodness – all my dreams for Maisie the Animal Minder coming true!!! Out of contact from tomorrow till Sunday night,Bushcraft in wild woods in deepest Kent, couldn’t have picked a colder weekend, invested in some snow boots yesterday, you can think of me while you tucked up in your warm beds and me in a bivvy bag under a tarp! Speak soon lots love E x

Morning, ooh it’s cold this morning in the wilds of Surrey. Off out in a minute for long walk, Toby needs his exercise. There has been a frost this morning but beautiful clear skies and fabulous stars as there is no light pollution here being so far away from a town. Just starting to get light now. have to fish out my hat and gloves from car. Yesterday Simon scissorhands came to attend to my hair. Whenever I am in area where he lives he comes to see me. The man is a genius with scissors and colour, I told him that’s what I’m going to call him in future. As you can imagine it can be a bit difficult sometimes having to take pot luck with hairdressers in different places, some are truly dreadful. Any way, off to brave the cold now and enjoy the peace of the countryside. Speak soon, lots love E x