The Dog Walker

Lydia Williams talks to Angela from The Dogs Club in Hyde Park about dog-friendly haunts and pet hates

Above: Angela, Piglet and Puzzle in Hyde Park

Grove magazine: Where do you live and why?

Angela: In the brilliantly located ‘village’ of Notting Hill, with its great mix of people from celebrities and the trendy to the normal. I can walk to the West End, Knightsbridge, the Royal Albert Hall and High Street Kensington.

Grove magazine: How did you get into dog walking?

Angela: A few years ago a neighbour asked me for the name of someone good and reliable to walk his dog for a few months. As our dogs got on well I decided to help. The months went on and my friend decided not to leave after all. By then more and more people had asked if I might walk or look after their dogs. So The Dog Club was born.

Grove magazine: What is your favourite season for dog walking?

Angela: I particularly love walking dogs in the rain because the parks are empty, and to see dogs having fun together is simply wonderful.

Grove magazine: What is your favourite breed and why?

Angela: The thing I love about dogs is how different they all are, in shapes, sizes and colours, and in breeds. Of course there are breed characteristics; hunters, chasers and lapdogs, often chosen by people to reflect their own personalities though not necessarily knowingly. Personally, as I am ‘international’ I have always had rescue cross-breeds, a Fixby Terrier, a Borderline Collie, a Paddington Terrier, and now a Jane Russell Terrier. All very precious. But when you see a pedigree dog it really shows.

Grove magazine: What’s your favourite Notting Hill store for doggy treats?

Angela: If I need anything for the dogs I go to Animal Fair off High Street Kensington, Pet Pavilion in Kensington Church Street, or Mutz Nutz in Westbourne Park Road.

Grove magazine: Where are the best dog-friendly shops/cafes in the Notting Hill area?

Angela: As a complete dogaholic I am sad that so few shops and eateries are dog friendly, but a number around Westbourne Grove do welcome them including one of my favourite restaurants, 202. Sans dogs I love dim sum at the Royal China on Queensway, and for Indian food the family run Star of Bombay is a regular haunt.

Grove magazine: What are your tips for a happy pooch?

Angela: I would say that the best things you can give your dog is appropriate exercise and discipline, routine where possible, a place for rest, and, above all, love. In return you will be rewarded with a devoted, trusting friend who never criticises, and more unconditional love than you will know what to do with. Enjoy…..

Grove magazine: What do you love about the area?

Angela: There are so many places to eat and shop and all the magic of the Portobello Market area is on the doorstep, and of course, with my job the proximity to Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Holland Park is great!

Grove magazine: ….and what do you loathe?

Angela: My one frustration with the area, though it affects others too, is that people don’t teach their dogs to ‘go’ in the gutter, and on top of that so many people still do not clean up after their dogs. It gives the rest of us a bad name and is so easy to do.

Grove magazine: Where do you go for good night in Notting Hill?

Angela: For a night out I love Beach Blanket Babylon, or the Champion, which used to be a gay pub

Grove magazine: Do you have a favourite view of London?

Angela: Whenever I go up in the London Eye, I get a huge buzz from the amazing view of the town I live in, a vast array of villages all overlapping, dotted with world famous sights.

Grove magazine: What would you do if you were Mayor of London for the day?

Angela: If I were Mayor I would bring back cycling proficiency tests so that cyclists would know the rules and the consequences of breaking those rules, and mandatory insurance, with heavier penalties for cycling selfishly where they shouldn’t and being abusive.

The Dog Club

07985 944595