My life with animals started at age five with my first pony. When I was twelve, we moved to a farm environment where I fell in love with Labradors and have owned labs since then.
My first – Amber – she was a puppy from a working dog litter in Lamberhurst. Amber went absolutely everywhere with me. I spent many of my weekends out with the local shoots, picking up.
My only “non-lab” was my gorgeous collie cross – Trixie – who was the most adorable, loyal dog I had ever had the pleasure to own. Trixie was more than a dog, she was my companion in everything I did, and everywhere I went, even when I got married, Trixie was there. I lost my dear Trixie at 18, a super age and she had lived a very full life with many adventures.
To keep Trixie company, Lottie came along – a beautiful black Labrador from a field trial family. She was the kindest, loving, sensitive, and soppy dog without a nasty bone in her body. She had to be spayed at a very young age due to a calcium deficiency and this is where my passion for nutrition and health started. (She could jump a 5-bar gate in one leap!). I sadly lost Lottie at a young age of 9 to cancer, this was a very sad time as Lottie of all dogs deserved a much longer lifespan.
In 2009, Flora came into my life—a beautiful yellow Labrador from a pure gun dog background. That’s when my passion for fitness really ignited! I became dedicated to weight control, health, and well-being, especially for athletic breeds, knowing how vital it is from a young age. From the moment we opened Snowy’s, Flora has loved her weekly hydrotherapy sessions, alternating between the treadmill and the pool to boost her overall fitness and allowing us to spot any gait changes as she’s aged.
Now at 15, Flora has faced significant challenges, including spinal pain in her thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, along with four abdominal surgeries. However, her strong core—developed through those hydrotherapy sessions—has helped her recover remarkably fast! While she deals with mild laryngeal paralysis that has led to some pneumonia episodes, swimming is no longer an option. Thankfully, with the fantastic facilities at Snowy’s, Flora continues to thrive with LASER and Myotherapy massages, keeping her sprightly and mobile. As the proud mum of both Snowy and Brandy, Flora remains an inspiring and vibrant presence!
Life on our small holding was not the same without a black Labrador, so I decided that after two months that I should get another black Labrador.
Daisy !!! for a change I decided to have a puppy from a family litter rather than a working litter, but this made no difference to Daisy! She fitted in with Flora straight away and enjoyed the chase in the countryside of squirrels, rabbits, and pheasants. Although Daisy loved the chase, she like Lottie has the kindest nature, to everything living and is the most adorable companion.
We sadly lost Daisy in July 2024. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, she was deemed a miracle dog by the RVC. Alongside her colon cancer, she bravely faced adrenal cancer and severe cirrhosis of the liver. Despite these challenges, Daisy’s spirit shone brightly, and she remained joyful until her body could no longer keep up. Her incredible resilience and unwavering happiness were a testament to her fighting spirit, and she will always hold a special place in our hearts
At the age of 3, Flora had her first litter of puppies – 7 beautiful yellow Labrador puppies. I planned to keep one bitch but ended up keeping the smallest bitch and a dog.
Brandy - Brandy was my soulmate and best friend—always acting the fool but fiercely loyal and devoted. He became my “dog guardian” during our walks; he rarely left my side, and when he did, it was only for a few moments. Brandy truly enjoyed running with me, and we took up the sport of Canicross trail running. This is where my knowledge of Myotherapy came into great use, as I applied warm-up preparation before our runs and cool-down massages afterward to help prevent injuries for him and my other running companions.
Brandy was fit and healthy until January 2024, when we discovered a strange red sore at the end of his penis. He was diagnosed with a rare collision tumour, something the RVC hadn’t encountered before. The news was devastating. Despite surgery and round-the-clock nursing care, I lost my beloved Brandy in June.
Snowy (Snowball) was the smallest of the bunch, yet her vibrant spirit and zest for life were unmatched. Always eager to be close to her brother Brandy, she brought joy to every moment. However, it soon became clear that Snowy was facing challenges of her own. Diagnosed with Osteochondritis (OCD) and established Degenerative Joint Disorder (DJD) at a young age, the road ahead looked daunting, with a future likely leading to osteoarthritis.
Faced with this diagnosis, I knew surgery wasn’t an option for my young girl, so I chose hydrotherapy and myotherapy as my preferred path to help her thrive. I was determined to give Snowy as normal a life as possible, ensuring she could still join us on walks and adventures—albeit with more careful route selection and timing. Snowy continues to enjoy her walks and partakes in weekly hydrotherapy and LASER sessions, and has monthly massage sessions maintaining her joy and vitality.
This commitment to her quality of life ignited the idea for Snowy’s Therapy Centre, transforming my passion for helping her into a mission to support other pets. Today, my goal is to help animals enjoy longer, healthier, and pain-free lives, just as I strove to do for my extraordinary Snowy. She may have been small, but her impact has been monumental.
This brings us to the exciting new additions to Snowy’s family—Clawdia and Norman, born on August 29, 2024. Both are delightful fox red Labradors, bursting with energy and curiosity. I’m confident they will bring bright and happy times to Snowy’s, filling our days with endless fun and puppy love. As they explore their surroundings and learn about the world, I look forward to watching the bond they form with Snowy and Flora. Their playful antics and affectionate nature will not only uplift Snowy’s & Flora’s spirits but also create a joyful atmosphere at the clinic. Together, they will surely add a vibrant new chapter to our lives, reminding us all of the joy that comes with new beginnings.