Dogventures

Jessica Knowles is someone who has always embraced the outdoors. But growing up, she could never understand why all the voices that occupied this space were men. Determined to break the mould, Jessica set out on adventures with her trusty companion, Pepper, and realised that life is so much more fulfilling if you go down the less conventional route. Once Jessica started to share her stories online, people began to take an interest, and now she has nearly 40,000 follows on Instagram, who all want to hear about her latest adventure. Making quite an impact, she has featured on the BBC, in the Daily Mail and other national and local media. Now, in Dogventures, readers will have the chance to see how they can overcome fears and have a richer and more confident lifestyle. Jessica weaves personal narrative with practical advice on how to be confident in your own skin, buck social trends, and how to have a positive impact on your outlook. As Jessica says, 'This is a lifestyle I only learnt about in my late twenties after buying my first dog, an overly enthusiastic Hungarian Vizsla named Pepper. I know, I am late to the party. Now I finally feel like I can feel confident with the fact I would prefer to wear trainers to stilettos, and I find a free dog walk is as beneficial as a GBP100 an hour therapy session. I've done both.' Jessica's sparky narrative shares stories of their beaten track adventures, which reshaped her outlook on life. It explores the idea that steering a life with more balance (which generally means more time outside and less time inside) leads to a life which is healthier, happier and much more fulfilled. This book is aimed to motivate people to live in the present and embrace change. It shows a journey of self-reflection and how through a variety of experiences, from owning a dog to owning a pair of walking boots, it has nourished her wellbeing. "It has only taken a global pandemic for the world to realise we were weaned from Mother Nature too soon reminding us that the simple things in life are the best. During the coronavirus time spent outdoors is now a global currency we are bartering for as we desperately want more time to spend out and less time in for our mental and physical health. Not only will this pandemic restore balance to society through creating new relationships between man and nature, but it will reinforce how the outdoors and a slower pace of life is the medicine we have been yearning for all along. You do not need to go on a holiday to the Himalayas to feel like you are living a fuller life. Whether you are living in a high rise or the High Peaks, achieving a happier and healthier life is limitless." This book will trigger the niggling feeling we have all experienced over the last six months - Have I taken my life for granted?