Licenced with Braintree Council * Fully Insured * Enhanced DBS Check * Advanced Pet First Aid
Welcome to Brucey's Buddies Dog Boarding
Brucey's Buddies is a small, bespoke dog Home Boarding and Daycare service, which we run from our family home. We always struggled finding somewhere we were happy for Bruce to stay when we were away - the bigger daycare and boarding facilities, along with kennels would be too noisy, and overwhelming for little Bruce, who can be quite a nervous boy. We knew that other people would also want their precious pets treated like family, cosying up on a comfy sofa, with fewer dogs in a calmer home environment.
Your furry friends become part of our family whilst with us - whether just for the day or for longer holidays. They join in on our days out, go on two different long walks a day, take part in enrichment games, are lavished with attention and snuggles, have access to a safe enclosed garden and have plenty of quiet corners and sofas to safely snooze in peace. They have the opportunity to play and socialise with other friendly dogs in a smaller, safe and supervised family home, dedicated to providing a calm and caring environment for dogs while their humans are away.
About Me.
I absolutely love my job! Spending my days caring for your lovely pets and seeing them happy is a wonderful feeling. I love being outside, active and exploring, despite the unpredictable English weather! We are an active family, who enjoy long walks, sports, cycling and weekends away.
I love meeting new people and a good chat - animals always seem to bring out the chatterbox in people and bring them together. I'm very lucky that so many of my 'clients' are now classed as friends.
I've always been passionate about animal welfare and from a young age was volunteering at the local vets. At weekends I'd spend from dawn 'til dusk at the local stables learning how to ride, muck out and generally horse around! This turned into a life long passion and I went on to work in various countries with polo ponies and race horses before pursuing a career as an Equine Veterinarian, to then get distracted by Primary Teaching!
These days horse riding is just a hobby, but cats and dogs are still a constant in my life. Having owned high energy working dog breeds in the past, our little rescue dog Bruce is a perfect little mix of crazy street dog x sofa slug! Our lazy cat, Puss, is also a rescue and my little ginger Prince!
For your peace of mind...
(Updated every 2 years)
Enhanced Certificate (DBS)
Disclosure & Barring Service
I hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate for your peace of mind.
2026 - 2028
Animal Activity Licence
Braintree Council
Fully Licensed with Braintree Council for Home Dog Boarding and Daycare (Animal Activity Licence Number - AAL/162). I am currently awarded 4 stars and deemed as 'Meeting Higher Standards', which is the highest rating for a first licence. Hoping after my next inspection in 2028, that we'll move up to the 5 star rating, which is based on having a documentation record history. We can be found on the Braintree Animal Activity Register.
(Renewed Anually)
Public Liability Insurance
Pet Plan Sanctuary
(arranged through Brooks Braithwaite)
I have an ongoing policy which covers; Care, Custody and Control of Animals, Custodial Responsibility, Public Liability, Animals in Transit - full details available on request. This is renewed annually.
(Updated every 2 years)
Advanced Pet First Aid - Level 3
Pro Trainings
I keep up to date with relevant First Aid Training to ensure that in case of emergency, your pets are in good hands.
2003 - 2006
BSc Equine Science (Hons)
Aberystwyth University
Previous to a long career in primary education, I was training to be an Equine Vet. Within my first degree we studied and were assessed on modules including Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Animal Science, Animal Physiology, Cardio-Respiratory Physiology, Immunology, Parasitology, Immunology and Animal Health. Be assured that your furry friend is in good hands.
Meet the Team
The friendly family faces you'll see, both furry and human!
Founder
Bruce (Wayne)
Originally from Crete, we rescued Bruce (former name Tostito) via a charity as a pup in 2022. He was found as a stray - skinny and terrified huddled in a barn with his two siblings (Tacito & Nacho). When we first brought him home he was scared of everything - dogs, people, cars... It took a long time to build his confidence, although he can still be a nervous little soul at times. He has been a wonderful, although noisy, addition to our family and I named this little business after him!
He is a mixed breed street dog - most similar to a Cretan Hound, although these are much bigger. He looks as though he may have some Chihuahua, Whippet and definitely some hound in him, as he is very vocal and rather noisy when playing or excited. He owns a magnificent set of ears and these influenced my step son to want to name him 'Bat Dog', although we compromised on 'Batman' aka 'Bruce Wayne'! I have never owned such an oddly unique little dog!
LOVES: His cardigans, cheese and being snuggled under a blanket.
DISLIKES: The hoover, loud noises and British winters!
Human in charge
Rebecca
After relocating from Surrey to Essex in 2019, I left a long career in Primary School Teaching to work with animals again. I've always been animal mad having owned both cats and dogs and loaning a secret horse or two in my youth!
Previous to teaching, I was originally at University pursuing a career as an Equine Vet. Following years of working and riding in Polo and Racing yards and working with horses in various countries, I decided to do a bit of voluntary work in my old Infant School and somehow got distracted and changed paths to teaching! They say don't work with animals or children and I chose both!
After meeting my husband, becoming a step mum and moving to Essex, I decided to adjust my work/life balance, leave teaching behind and set up my own business. With the help of Bruce, 'Brucey's Buddies' was born.
LOVES: Taking photos - it's a bit of a hobby! Long country walks which include a pub and planning our next holiday!
DISLIKES: Drizzle - either rain, or don't - it plays havoc with my glasses and hair!
Aloof resident
Puss (in boots)
Puss was resident 6 months before Bruce arrived, and has never let him forget it! They spent their younger years wrestling with each other and playing in the garden, often sharing a bed.
However, these days Puss has a reputation to maintain and is more aloof with his younger foreign brother.
He spends most of his time in bed sleeping in front of the radiator in the winter months, periodically choosing to climb the curtains and demand Dreamies! During the summer he spends his days outside snoozing in one of his many 'bush beds'!
He was a rescued by the RSPCA as a kitten, found with his two brothers, who all had badly infected paws. Sadly one of the brothers didn't survive. We adopted him as a kitten in 2021, and he's grown into a real character - a proper ginger cat - silly. loving and headstrong.
He was hit by a car a few years ago and miraculously only broke his jaw - since then he has worn a tracker whenever he leaves the house.
He's often seen trying to jump into client's cars when dropping off their dogs - so watch out!
LOVES: His bed, catnip, breaking into the Dreamies tub, and inspecting the shopping bags for snacks after the weekly big shop.
DISLIKES: Being brushed when he's not in the mood, being told off for climbing the curtains!
Support Squad
Stu & Will
The support team is made up of my wonderful husband, Stuart, and amazing step son, William.
These two incredible gents help me administer snuggles, accompany me on weekend walks and generally help love and care for your doggos whilst here with us.
Will particularly enjoys allocating all our four-legged visitors suitable nick names! 'Buddy the Bullet', 'Herbatonic' and 'Maple the Manatee' to name a few! He has a super memory and will remember your pooch even if they visited just once, years ago - he will still ask when they are returning!
Stuart is very much into his fitness and can quite often be found running around the farmers' fields at the crack of dawn with a trail of furry friends in tow. Another of his main talents is sofa snuggles - his ability to pile up dogs on his lap is quite remarkable!
Together these two are an impeccable team who help love your dogs and make them feel at home for the duration of their stay with us - be it a day or a couple of weeks.
WILL LOVES: Expensive holidays, computer games and all things edible - the naughtier the better!
WILL DISLIKES: Homework, early bedtimes & portion control!
STU LOVES: Coffee, peanuts & family time.
STU DISLIKES: Rude people, animal cruelty & DIY.