About Si
From an early age, Si was surrounded by dogs, growing up with Boxers that sparked a lifelong love of animals. Living alongside them taught him that every animal has its own personality, its own way of communicating, and its own unique character - something that continues to shape his approach today.
Over the years, his home has been shared with a wonderful variety of animals, each leaving a lasting impression.
One of the first was Jasmine, a beautiful Springer Spaniel who joined the family in 2000. A few years later came Albi, who needed a quieter home after struggling to cope in a busy household with several other dogs. Although he arrived with severe separation anxiety and occasionally expressed his frustration by redecorating doors and walls, he soon settled and became Jasmine's inseparable companion.
Not long afterwards, Zack found his way into the family. Having been abandoned as a young puppy, he had received very little socialisation or basic training. Fortunately, Albi had previously worked alongside puppy training classes and seemed to take Zack under his wing, helping him learn how to be a dog. With plenty of patience and consistent training, Zack grew into one of the most affectionate and loyal companions anyone could hope to have.
Sadly, time catches up with every pet. Albi passed away first, followed by Jasmine at the remarkable age of sixteen. Zack continued to enjoy life for several more years before eventually saying goodbye as well, leaving behind countless happy memories.
Dogs have only ever been part of the story. In 2001, Si's interest in reptiles began with two bearded dragons, Frank and Robyn. What started as a hobby quickly developed into a genuine passion, and over the following years he cared for a wide variety of species, including corn snakes, king snakes, royal pythons, Brazilian rainbow boas, red-tailed boas, sand boas, tree snakes, geckos, Bosc's monitors and a magnificent green iguana named Jubjub, who became something of a local celebrity while surveying his kingdom from the front window of the family home on Market Street in Tottington.
The collection also included tarantulas, giant African land snails and Madagascan hissing cockroaches. Many of the reptiles became regular visitors to local primary schools, summer fairs and community events, giving children and adults the chance to meet and learn about animals they might otherwise never have encountered.
In 2020, Pepper, an American Bulldog, joined the family and quickly established herself as an irreplaceable part of everyday life. She continues to be a much-loved companion with a personality every bit as big as her smile.
Having spent decades caring for such a diverse range of animals, Si has developed a deep understanding of animal behaviour, patience and trust. Whether working with dogs, reptiles or any other species, he believes every animal should be treated as an individual. That philosophy, combined with a lifetime of hands-on experience, remains at the heart of everything he does.
Whether he’s caring for boarding dogs during the day or working behind the scenes, Si’s lifelong love of animals continues to shape everything he does.
