Like many great institutions, the Ministry of Dogs wasn't created in a boardroom. It started with one nervous rescue dog called Cora.

The First Recruits.

In early 2021, as life slowly found its feet again after the Covid lockdowns, Cora had just been adopted by a wonderful family. She was still finding her confidence, so they needed someone to spend a little time with her during the day while they were at work. At the time, I was caring for a seriously ill family member and volunteered to help, partly to give Cora some company and partly to give myself a reason to get out into the fresh air.

Those short lunchtime walks gradually became longer adventures. Cora's confidence grew, friendships formed, and before long other dogs began joining our little expeditions. One walk became two, then three, and somewhere along the way the Department of Walks & Adventures quietly came into existence.

As more dogs joined our daily missions, they earned their place as Official Pack Members, each bringing their own personality, quirks and stories to the adventure. What began with helping one nervous rescue dog had quietly become a trusted pack.

Today, the Ministry is built on trust, patience, adventure and the belief that every dog deserves to feel like they belong. Cora remains our Chief Field Agent, chief inspector of sticks, unofficial quality-control officer and constant reminder of why the Ministry exists in the first place.

The rest, as all good government departments like to say, is.

As it turns out, I was never the founder of the Ministry. I was simply Cora's first recruit.