I became manager of a dog kennel in the countryside after moving to France

Despite having lived happily in France for more than nine years, it was never my dream to move here. 

I became disillusioned with my old job at a major bank in London in a high-level cyber security role. The salary and perks were amazing, but the days were long and after 15 years I began to wonder what it was all for.

My life felt shallow and I was under constant pressure. One day, things just came to a head. At the time I lived in a small village, two hours out of the city. I went for a walk and it hit me how miserable I was.

I wanted to build a meaningful life outside of work, but was unable to have children – and although I had always loved and owned dogs in the past, my 10-hour days meant I could not even take on a pet.

By the time I got home I had decided to make a radical change. I searched “businesses for sale in France” and almost immediately found an advert for a dog kennel – Lime Tree Kennels in Rouzède, Charente. Here was something I could do that would be meaningful and rewarding.

As well as owning dogs in the past, I had worked in a rescue centre in Germany. I had also travelled extensively so was not intimidated by the idea of being in France, despite barely speaking the language.

I spoke to the vendors. The business did not make much money, especially compared with my city salary, but I would be able to own the property and kennels without a mortgage. 

I could be debt-free and my life would be my own again. All things considered, it was a bargain.

Before I made the move, I contacted a training facility offering qualifications in animal care. They ran a year-long course I could do from home. 

I asked whether it could be completed in four months. They said perhaps – if I worked eight hours a day. I continued my job and completed the course over evenings and weekends, working until midnight every night.

While friends told me I was crazy, especially as I was moving to France on my own, I told them I needed to save my soul!

My boss assumed I had been headhunted and was astonished when I told him why I was leaving. 

Within the year, I was ready to move to my huge house with eight acres of land in the middle of nowhere.

When I arrived, the first dogs turned up while the removal van was still on the driveway. It was definitely a case of jumping in at the deep end.

However, for the first time in my life I felt I could breathe. I had space in my head, and felt really alive.

Running a kennel still involves long days. People are trusting you with their beloved pet – a member of their family – and I take the responsibility seriously. In the summer I am up at 6:30 to play with the dogs, as it gets too hot for them later on. I feed, administer any medication, and clean out the kennels. 

There is a break from midday until 15:00, then I am back again to walk them and play with them in the afternoon and evening.

While the days are long, the lifestyle is completely different. Plus I am surrounded by stunning views, so it is not a hardship. 

The money is nothing to shout about, but I am working for myself rather than filling the pocket of a corporate giant. And it is far more rewarding.

My lifestyle is, of course, different. My car is 16 years old and I am no longer in corporate wear; sometimes I forget to brush my hair. However, I believe that the more you earn the more you spend. Sure, you can afford more material things on a higher salary – but are they worth it?

Despite being happy on my own, I met a man a couple of years after moving to France and fell in love. We were married in 2022 and now he helps out with the business, strimming the grass and building fences. 

If I was asked to describe my life now, I would say I have never been happier.