About us

When Noah was finishing Year 6 at Oatley Public School in 2017, the school librarian said to everyone in his year group, “Before you start high school next year, you should all set up a little business over the summer holidays to earn some pocket money. You know? Ask your neighbors if you can mow their lawns, or wash their cars, put out their bins and bring them in the next morning. If they’re going away, offer to water their garden and collect their mail. You know?! Just offer a service and ask for a little payment in return. It’ll be good for you.” 

Noah came home that afternoon a little worried about the suggestion but still curious enough to share what had happened at school that day in the library. He said, “Miss J has told me I need to start a business and I don’t know what to do.” I shared with him the words my grandfather told me when I was his age. “If you find a job you love, it won’t feel too much like work.”

If we can spend our time at the intersection of our passion and our purpose then we will build careers that have powerful potential. 

I asked Noah, “What do you love?”. He said, “Animals. I really like dogs, actually.” “Okay”, I replied before asking, “what do you think you’re good at?”. Head down he muttered, “I don’t know” then flippantly quipped “walking”. Not two seconds passed before he looked up suddenly with surprise then a smile and suggested, to himself more than anyone else, that he might be able to do some dog walking.

That night he and his mother sat down and created a poster on a word doc and posted it on the Oatley Parents Facebook page. By the weekend he had two paying customers and was walking each of their dogs for an hour twice a week. 

Dog sitting was a natural progression and quickly followed. It’s more of a family affair these days but Noah does do the lion’s share of the work. Feeding, grooming, walking, playing, sending WhatsApp updates to the owner. He and his three younger sister love it. They’re learning about different breeds. It’s helped grow their confidence, improved their communication skills, taught them time management, and made them well adjusted and socially responsible little people. They even pick up the dog’s poo and dispose of it thoughtfully. 

5 years on, Noah still dog walks a Cavoodle twice a week for a young family but it’s the dog sitting that’s in high demand and consumes most of his time outside of school hours.

So if you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. And if you’re a dog owner please #like our page and keep us in mind if you ever need care for your canine. Thanks. 

Noah’s Bark | Your dog – Our home