My life to date has been a somewhat curious mix of highs and lows, light and dark, and planning versus opportunity. Through it all there have been two constants ... writing and dogs, and both have been there regardless of careers, partners, or home location.
My careers have included psychiatric nursing, estate agency, magazine editing, property investment and letting, board directorship, estate management, and professional writing. I think you may agree that these are diverse and seemingly unconnected, and for the most part, you would be absolutely right. Some came along from pure opportunity. I could easily have taken a different route thereby failing to gain valuable experience and knowledge. The remainder happened because I had a desire to enter that realm of work.
My writing career began in my youth when I would send hundreds of articles to hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. Some were published, while many were repeatedly rejected. I always wrote about subjects familiar to me, so once I had become involved in property investment and management, and became self-employed with my own estate and lettings agency, a publisher approached me to write self-help books. This was during the buy-to-let boom and the books were very successful. In turn, this also presented opportunities to write for property websites and to have a brief but enjoyable time guesting on TV and radio programs.
I have always said writing is not a job, it's a vocation. I am compelled to write in the same way I am compelled to eat, breathe and sleep. The fact that I sometimes get paid to do it is just icing on the cake. As I journey through my sixties, I now consider myself to be part-retired which leaves me free to write on a subject matter close to my heart. Dogs have been my constant companions and when I lost BB (a lurcher) to canine kidney disease some years ago, I became obsessed with acquiring knowledge about the disease - and writing about it. And that brings us right up to date. I am still learning and still writing. I spend at least an hour a day on FaceBook answering questions from concerned dog owners and hope my input helps them help their best friends.
I do not charge anything - and never will - for my canine kidney disease articles, for this website or any of the information I provide here, on social media sites or while responding in FaceBook Groups. Unfortunately, this website does cost me substantial amounts of money to maintain, so if you can help me continue financing this source of help to dog owners the world over, please consider donating using the button below. I will be forever in your debt and very appreciative.
I live in Blackpool in the north-west of England. The beach is a short walk away and perfect for my daily strolls along the sand or promenade with my rescue dogs. If you see me there, say hi.
