Hi, I’m Derek… although most people know me as Del.
If you’ve found your way to this page, you’re probably wondering a little more about the person behind the website.
I’m someone who’s always been curious.
I enjoy learning, asking questions and discovering how things work. Whether that’s understanding animal behaviour, lighting a campfire, building a website or exploring new technology, I believe there’s always something new to learn.
Animals have always been part of my life
I’ve been fortunate to share my home with several rescue Border Collies over the years. Each one arrived with their own story, their own challenges and their own personality.
I’ve also lived with Siamese, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and Sphynx cats, all of whom reminded me that no two animals are ever the same.
Living with rescue animals has taught me patience, empathy and the importance of seeing the individual rather than expecting every animal to fit the same mould.
The dog who changed everything
After spending eighteen years working in an office, life took an unexpected turn when I was made redundant.
At the time, I was walking my rescue dog, Roxy, when a neighbour asked if I could help by walking her recently adopted Battersea rescue while she was at work.
What started as helping a neighbour became a regular Monday to Friday walk and eventually grew into Finchley Dog Walker.
Looking back, it feels as though Roxy quietly led me towards the career I was meant to have.
She also taught me one of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned.
Trust can’t be rushed.
Working at her pace, celebrating the smallest achievements and allowing her confidence to grow naturally changed the way I understood dogs forever.
Because of Roxy I met Sue at Tip Top Dog School, where I spent several years helping with positive training classes until the COVID pandemic. It was an experience that strengthened my understanding of behaviour and positive training methods and reinforced the importance of treating every dog as an individual.
A lifelong Scout
Scouting has been part of my life since I joined Cubs at eight years old.
It gave me lifelong friendships, practical skills and a love of the outdoors that has never left me.
Today I’m proud to volunteer as a Group Lead Volunteer for two Scout Groups and as a District Activities Manager.
One of the things I enjoy most is helping young people gain confidence by learning something new. Whether it’s fire lighting, climbing, archery, target sports or simply working together as a team, it’s incredibly rewarding to watch someone discover they’re capable of more than they thought.
Curiosity doesn’t stop
Away from dogs and Scouting you’ll usually find me exploring another interest.
I enjoy creating websites with WordPress, designing graphics and resources in Canva and experimenting with artificial intelligence to see how it can help small businesses, charities and volunteers save time and work more effectively.
Some people collect things.
I seem to collect skills.
Why I built this website
I wanted one place where I could bring all of these interests together.
This website isn’t about pretending to be an expert in everything.
It’s about sharing what I’ve learned through experience, continuing to ask questions and hopefully helping other people along the way.
If one of my articles helps you better understand your dog, inspires you to try something new or simply teaches you something you didn’t know before, then writing it was worthwhile.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my website.
I hope you’ll enjoy exploring it as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it.
— Del