All About Me

For my first Blog I thought I would do a proper introduction to little old me. 

Hey, My name's Claire I am a self confessed animal obsessed mum of 2 to my delightful children as well as step mum to my husband’s little lad. 

2 Crazy dogs, Bella the water and mud loving Springer spaniel and Mabel the Jack Russel princess who will not get her tiny paws dirty if she can help it.

My Ginger Tom, Tiger the cat who can be seen roaming the village of Meshaw like the king he thinks he is. 

Along with our 2 horses, Merry the ex racer who was so bad in her racing career that she now has to put up with being dragged around Devon by my 16 year old daughter to jump silly little coloured poles. 

And the, Toby the Dartmoor Hill pony who is the emotional support for said rubbish ex race horse who can not be left alone for a second. 

Toby spends his days trotting around, mainly eating and just being the dude that he is. 

Growing up within a farming family I have been lucky enough to experience the country life all my life. I have been around animals big and small since a small child, being covered in mud and other questionables but absolutely loving life. I am now lucky enough to pass this life onto my children. The dream. 

After spending most of my working life within the healthcare sector, spending around 15 years as a dental nurse during covid and the whole world shut down and the dental world went into absolute turmoil I knew it was time to step down my aspirator and leave the working world I had only really known. 

I have always loved animals and had been thinking about changing my career path but unfortunately with a family to support, children to clothe and water i had to get what the world calls a “proper” job. 

So I started working with acutely mentally unwell people at the hospital. I have to say I loved this. It's a very uneducated world that needs a lot more credit and highlighting to what some poor people endure. I am and will always be a true advocate for mental health illness. 

But my drive and passion for working with animals was always there; I knew I had to do something. Life is so short and precious you have to love what you do. 

That's when the idea of The Canine cabin was born. 

So I began endlessly scrolling the internet for somewhere that teaches dog grooming locally to me. I found The Paw pad parlour in Barnstaple and the lovely Alicia there that teaches with such a calm, very patient and knowledgeable environment. 

I started the course, began shaving dogs in areas I'm not sure they were always happy with , of course I gained consent, and that's when I knew I had chosen the correct path for me. 

Being covered in hair everyday and doggy slobber was finally my happy place. 

So then this is where the husband comes in , while listening to my wild ideas for as long as I can remember , with blood sweat and lots of tears my cabin was built. 

The digger was in , the water pipes were laid, electrics fitted and I could finally fill it with all the important things I needed. Mainly treats, handwarmers in the winter and my alexa so all the dogs can be blessed with my insane singing skills. Lucky puppies. 

My training started in September 2023 and The cabin opened in April 2024. Boom, we are in business. 

I have loved every minute of building my business to support myself, my family and all the free loader animals that we are lucky enough to have here with us in The Canine Cabin family. 

I am now lucky enough to spend my days with all the love from all the dogs all the time. And i love it. 

I hope to continue to grow and see more and more of your lovely dogs here in Meshaw for all of your doggies' needs. 

Anyway enough about me, you can now move on with your day. 

Claire. xxx