How A Near Fatal Car Crash Led To Selling Dog Biscuits To Harrods!

14 years ago now, I was a front seat passenger in a car that ran off the road and hit a rather large tree. I was resuscitated and intubated at the scene and airlifted to hospital. One of my many injuries and the most life altering was a brain injury.

My life changed dramatically, instantly. Overnight I went from being a gregarious 21 year-old student with a social life that would stagger any Hollywood Starlet, to being too afraid to cross the road on my own. After going through a year of rehabilitation, left with permanent injuries and dealing with debilitating depression, I had to try and figure out what my new role in society was to be.

I was unable to return to study as I now had trouble learning and retaining new information, reading had now become harder, I would get migraines that would last days, the list goes on.

For the next five years after experiencing the Criminal court where the driver was charged, I had to endure the grueling system that many road trauma victims experience the fight to seek compensation.

Eventually after all the legalities were over with, we bought a puppy to keep me company, a female Golden Cocker Spaniel and I named her Riley.

It was amazing the difference she made to my life. She gave me back my confidence & self worth not to mention enjoyment – from going to puppy school, dog obedience classes, meeting other dog owners. I began to socialise, but I had Riley as the focus, not me or my disability.

I also found that I felt more comfortable when I was out walking with her, as opposed to walking by myself. I was concentrating on her sitting at the road before crossing and her safety.

Another positive spin off from Riley entering my life was creating my own business, Happy Yappers – biscuits for your pooch! I wanted to make dog biscuits for her at home and with the help of my brilliant and supportive partner, Tony, who is a chef, we created a recipe.

The local pet shop owner, Scruff started to sell our biscuits. I will never forget him giving me $15 payment for my first order! For the first time in years I was actually paid for something that I had done – it had nothing to do with my disability, Social Security and the TAC. This feeling was amazing – it was worth one million dollars!

Today Happy Yappers are sold all around Australia in selected stores, online & we export to several countries including the UK. Harrod’s in London even stock Happy Yappers!

So from beginning the business to four years on, I have achieved things that I never thought that I could.

And I owe it all to Riley.

Happy Yappers is a tribute to her and you will find her logo on every packet. Sadly she is no longer with us and I miss her every day. We had to put her to sleep when she was only 3 years old due to Cancer. She had Chemo and we tried everything we could to keep her alive & happy.

But the house is alive with the shenanigans of two more Golden Cocker Spaniels, Ruby & Charlotte.

Happy Yappers is dedicated to all those little Angels on Earth with four legs that give us so much joy.