Cowden was a summer of joy and creation. Floss, the excitable pup, and Sooty, the gentle old lab, kept us company as days overflowed with swimming in the heated pool, rope swings by the river, camping in the forest tent, and evenings toasting marshmallows by the fire pit. Family and friends joined us for barbecues, games, and long-overdue reunions.

Our three weeks in Worthing were split between two homes, Nathan with Bruno the quirky Boston terrier, and Dylan and I with Joey the gentle lurcher. Bruno kept Nathan laughing with his snoring and endless quirks, while Joey eased into his lazy rhythm of morning walks and long naps. Dylan was reunited with friends from the park, joined weekly boxing sessions, and spent his days playing outdoors. It wasn’t easy balancing two houses.

Life at Karen and Neil’s holiday park home gave us both freedom and renewal. Bracken, the gentle old sprocker we fondly called ‘Broccoli,’ and Buddy, the bundle of energy who thought he was a lap dog, filled our days with love. Dylan found independence and friendship at the pools and arcade, while we soaked in the sauna, steam room, and long walks through the New Forest. It was here that Guardians UK transformed into The Guardians Tribe, where new ideas sparked.

Our eight weeks in Torquay were filled with sea air, friendship, and family. Sooty, the talkative black cat, kept us entertained with his daily stories, while tree frogs and sea tanks added their own wonder to the home. Days were spent learning to paddle board, exploring Paignton and Brixham, and sharing meals with friends old and new. Dylan even helped save boys caught in a rip tide, a moment that made us so proud. It was a sit overflowing with connection, adventure, and mem

Returning to Vicky and Dave’s without Jet felt different, his absence a quiet echo on the forest paths he once loved. Yet Perla, their affectionate Greek rescue, carried the home with her playful energy and love of cuddles. Summer days stretched into adventures, boys’ trips to the Devil’s Punch Bowl, laughter-filled table tennis matches in the garden, and golden evenings where Perla never strayed far. It was a sit filled with warmth, joy, and the gentle reminder that love con

Our return to Lacey and Neil’s home in Spalding felt like visiting old friends. Murphy, still a playful pup, became Dylan’s constant companion, while Arnie, older, gentle, and full of cheeky charm, enjoyed his final weeks surrounded by love before crossing the rainbow bridge. Luna the cat added her quiet grace to the household. Long countryside walks, evenings in the hot tub, and the warmth of lasting friendships made this sit one of both joy and tenderness.

Frome became more than a sit, it was a season. Days unfolded with Anuska and Cosmo, two Bengal cats whose playful and affectionate ways filled the home with life. Dylan’s confidence soared as swimming became part of our daily rhythm, birthdays were celebrated with family in Bath, and weekends turned into festivals, markets, and nature walks. It was also here that Guardians UK first took shape, planting the early seeds of the journey that would grow into something far greater.

London came alive as the clock struck twelve, fireworks bursting across the city while Halloumi, the sweetest Labrador pup, snuggled close at our side. Days were spent wandering parks and making memories, but the highlight was Nathan and Dylan’s dream day out, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, a gift that turned into a moment neither of them will ever forget.

Christmas in Maidstone felt like home. With Nala and Esme bounding through the fields and five rabbits hopping quietly in the garden, our days flowed between caring for the animals and gathering with family. Dylan reunited with his cousins, laughter filled the house, and even Jack’s birthday was celebrated beneath the glow of a Christmas tree that Martin and his family had so kindly put up for us.

Frosty mornings led us into the amber forest with Jet and Perla, the air crisp and the paths scattered with dens that felt almost magical. Evenings drew us back to the warmth of a crackling log fire, the house a cosy haven against the winter chill. For Dylan, it was a time of belonging, joining local craft sessions, making decorations, and being welcomed into the village tribe as if he had always been part of it.

Maxey welcomed us with its timeless charm, a village of thatched cottages and winding rivers that seemed to hold their own stories. With Holly and Suzie bounding at our side, we wandered along the lakes and fishing banks, the world slowing to the pace of wagging tails and rippling water. Evenings brought the soft rustle of hedgehogs in the garden, mornings the chatter of birdsong, and in between, the joy of simply being present.