Detours

Sometimes, the person who surprises you is the one who quietly steps up and follows through. For me, that person was my daughter Lexi—and the opportunity was dog walking. I’m Angie Norris, and this is Side Hustle GPS. Today, we’re stopping in Pet Parkway to explore Dog Walking. I have three children: Tia, Lexi, and Hayden. And all three love dogs. We have plenty of dogs in our lives. We just don’t own one. Mainly because I can barely keep up with three kids, my husband, and myself—let alone another mouth to feed and another being to love! But believe me, my kids ask all the time: “When are we getting a dog?” Sometimes, I want to cave. Then I imagine them going off to college and leaving me with the dog to walk and feed. Although, by then, I’d probably love that dog so much I wouldn’t know any different. In the meantime, they get plenty of dog love from family, friends, and neighbors. And sometimes, that turns into an opportunity to help. One of our neighbors has two Labradors—a yellow Lab and a chocolate Lab—and we’ve been asked to care for and walk them. I thought Tia, being the oldest, would be the one to jump at it. But Lexi, my middle child, really surprised me. She wanted to know the rules. The schedule. Exactly how the owners did things. When should the dogs be fed? When should they go into the backyard? How should their neighborhood walk go? If the owners had a routine, she wanted to follow it to a T. And when it was time to walk the dogs, she was ready. I loved seeing that side of her. She took a simple responsibility seriously, one visit and one walk at a time. That’s what can make dog walking a valuable service. Someone might be working long hours, have a busy family schedule, or need help getting their dog out regularly. You can give them dependable support while doing something you enjoy. It can be an opportunity for a younger person with appropriate adult support, or for someone older who has time and is comfortable handling the dog. The right match matters. Loving dogs is a great beginning, and you also need to understand the owner’s instructions and what you can manage confidently. AI can help you organize those instructions into a checklist, plan your schedule, and draft a quick update after a walk. Put the actual appointments and reminders into your calendar so you can follow through. The owner still needs you to show up, pay attention, and care for their dog. Your first money move? Talk to one neighbor who could use help. Meet the dog with its owner, learn the routine, and agree on the length of the walk, the schedule, and the price. Start with one dog you can handle comfortably and one commitment you can keep. You don’t need a full schedule on day one. One regular customer can be your beginning. As you gain experience, you can decide whether to add another. So, is there someone nearby whose dog would love a walk—and who would appreciate your help? Explore Dog Walking in Pet Parkway at SideHustleGPS.com. One step at a time is still moving. Small steps are real steps—and sometimes, those steps come with a leash, a happy dog, and a little extra income.