Pet sitting might look like cuddles, walks and happy pets, but there’s another part of the job that happens long before I reach the front door: the journey. Between motorways, roundabouts, holiday traffic and drivers who seem to think they’re starring in Fast & Furious, getting to an appointment can sometimes feel like an adventure of its own. I often find myself wishing for one simple piece of technology - a teleport button. Because as lovely as virtual work can be, dogs still need someone to physically show up.

It’s my birthday, I’m 42, and I’m working - and honestly, I’m okay with that. Instead of seeing my birthday as a day when everything else has to stop, I’m choosing to spend it doing what helps me build the life I want: caring for pets, earning money, working towards greater financial freedom and a more peaceful future.