About...
Susan
Susan with one of our clients, Indy
Born in New Jersey, Susan Graff spent six years in the production side of the fashion industry after earning her BA at Rowan University (Glassboro State College). Needing a change of scenery (and to escape the cold weather), she relocated to northern California and earned an MA from Santa Clara University in Special Education.
After one last relocation back east to North Carolina, and after 13 years of service as a public school teacher, Susan Graff decided it was time for a change. She enjoyed being a teacher and being around children, but wanted a bit more flexibility in her schedule and the ability to spend more time with her own furbabies, Snickers, Barney and Calvin.
After working at a dog daycare one summer, Susan found that she really liked working with dogs. She enjoyed being a caregiver, so she decided to make it her business to give her clients the personal attention every animal deserves while their owner is away, whether it is for the day or for a week or more.
Susan started her own business, A Whole Lotta Love Dog Walking and Pet Services, in 2009. She worked part-time caring for animals in the mornings, evenings and weekends while teaching middle school full-time.
After a successful first year, she decided to leave teaching to pursue her dream full-time.
In 2011, Susan hired her first employee and now the AWLL team has expanded.
When Susan is not caring for animals, she is writing about them! She writes a monthly newsletter for AWLL featuring articles about pet care. She likes to write about new pet gadgets and products she discovers “in the field” as well writing about her clients.
Susan enjoys baking homemade treats for our dog and cat clients.
She wrote a regular column in Heart2Home Magazine, Tails in the Kitchen, which included recipes for dog and cat treats.
After one last relocation back east to North Carolina, and after 13 years of service as a public school teacher, Susan Graff decided it was time for a change. She enjoyed being a teacher and being around children, but wanted a bit more flexibility in her schedule and the ability to spend more time with her own furbabies, Snickers, Barney and Calvin.
After working at a dog daycare one summer, Susan found that she really liked working with dogs. She enjoyed being a caregiver, so she decided to make it her business to give her clients the personal attention every animal deserves while their owner is away, whether it is for the day or for a week or more.
Susan started her own business, A Whole Lotta Love Dog Walking and Pet Services, in 2009. She worked part-time caring for animals in the mornings, evenings and weekends while teaching middle school full-time.
After a successful first year, she decided to leave teaching to pursue her dream full-time.
In 2011, Susan hired her first employee and now the AWLL team has expanded.
When Susan is not caring for animals, she is writing about them! She writes a monthly newsletter for AWLL featuring articles about pet care. She likes to write about new pet gadgets and products she discovers “in the field” as well writing about her clients.
Susan enjoys baking homemade treats for our dog and cat clients.
She wrote a regular column in Heart2Home Magazine, Tails in the Kitchen, which included recipes for dog and cat treats.
Steve is holding one of our dogs, Calvin.
Steve
Steve is a lifelong animal lover. And one thing is for sure...animals LOVE Steve! Steve volunteered for Durham’s Animal Protection Society (APS) where he was named “Volunteer of the Month”. He also volunteered for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs for a three day Fence-a-Thon, helping build fences for over 50 chained dogs in Durham.
Professionally, Steve works in support in the high technology industry for over 20 years.
Steve is a lifelong animal lover. And one thing is for sure...animals LOVE Steve! Steve volunteered for Durham’s Animal Protection Society (APS) where he was named “Volunteer of the Month”. He also volunteered for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs for a three day Fence-a-Thon, helping build fences for over 50 chained dogs in Durham.
Professionally, Steve works in support in the high technology industry for over 20 years.
Our Employees
We realize that clients want someone they can trust, inside their home and with their precious cargo, their pets. So we make sure to hire only the best people. All of our dog walkers and pet sitters are bonded and insured and undergo a thorough background check and training before hiring. You can find out more about some of our amazing pet sitters below.
Barbara
Barbara Wendel is A Whole Lotta Love’s book keeper and a lifelong dog lover. She was raised in Coldwater, Michigan and lived there until she moved to North Carolina in 1995. Barbara attended Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University where she studied accounting.
Besides AWLL, Barbara is also employed by iEntertainment Network, Inc. an online gaming company and with Batteries Plus Bulbs.
Barbara always had dogs when she was growing up. She had a boxer named Tuffy and two Dalmatians names Bess and Maggie. Currently she resides with a white boxer named Cami who joins her in her photo. Barbara inherited Cami from her daughter when she moved to Colorado.
In her spare time, Barbara enjoys reading, baking and gardening. We are excited to have Barbara as part of our team!
Barbara Wendel is A Whole Lotta Love’s book keeper and a lifelong dog lover. She was raised in Coldwater, Michigan and lived there until she moved to North Carolina in 1995. Barbara attended Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University where she studied accounting.
Besides AWLL, Barbara is also employed by iEntertainment Network, Inc. an online gaming company and with Batteries Plus Bulbs.
Barbara always had dogs when she was growing up. She had a boxer named Tuffy and two Dalmatians names Bess and Maggie. Currently she resides with a white boxer named Cami who joins her in her photo. Barbara inherited Cami from her daughter when she moved to Colorado.
In her spare time, Barbara enjoys reading, baking and gardening. We are excited to have Barbara as part of our team!
Linwood
Linwood Hester was born and raised in the Bull City. He attended Northern High School and has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Rutledge College. He has professionally been a part of post press production experience in the newspaper industry and has experience in furniture building and restoration.
Linwood has surrounded himself with animals his entire life! Growing up, he started out with crayfish and then moved up to turtles and frogs. He has had rabbits, hamsters, dogs, cats, birds and fish. At the present moment Linwood has eight fish tanks, both salt and fresh water, the largest being a 75 gallon tank. Freshwater fish are mostly Amazon basin type fish like angels and Rummy Nose.
Linwood loves dogs almost as much as he loves fish! He has eight dogs; six poodles, one Yorkie and one German Shepherd. The poodles’ names are: Ruby, Louie, June, Rudy, Slow Poke and Bebe. The Yorkie's name is Charlie and the German Shepherd's name is Mikayla. Linwood has taken part in the delivery of toy poodle pups and have bred freshwater angelfish. He can groom toy poodles from head to tail (cuts, baths, blowouts, nails, etc.).
When I asked Linwood what his favorite part of being a dog walker/pet sitter at AWLL he answered, “I enjoy meeting with the different dogs and their personality. I love being outside and spending time with our furry friends.“ Linwood has many hobbies. Some of them include: coins, stamps, records and antiquing just to mention a few. He loves spending time outside. As far as sports is concerned, he enjoys all motorsports.
Linwood Hester was born and raised in the Bull City. He attended Northern High School and has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Rutledge College. He has professionally been a part of post press production experience in the newspaper industry and has experience in furniture building and restoration.
Linwood has surrounded himself with animals his entire life! Growing up, he started out with crayfish and then moved up to turtles and frogs. He has had rabbits, hamsters, dogs, cats, birds and fish. At the present moment Linwood has eight fish tanks, both salt and fresh water, the largest being a 75 gallon tank. Freshwater fish are mostly Amazon basin type fish like angels and Rummy Nose.
Linwood loves dogs almost as much as he loves fish! He has eight dogs; six poodles, one Yorkie and one German Shepherd. The poodles’ names are: Ruby, Louie, June, Rudy, Slow Poke and Bebe. The Yorkie's name is Charlie and the German Shepherd's name is Mikayla. Linwood has taken part in the delivery of toy poodle pups and have bred freshwater angelfish. He can groom toy poodles from head to tail (cuts, baths, blowouts, nails, etc.).
When I asked Linwood what his favorite part of being a dog walker/pet sitter at AWLL he answered, “I enjoy meeting with the different dogs and their personality. I love being outside and spending time with our furry friends.“ Linwood has many hobbies. Some of them include: coins, stamps, records and antiquing just to mention a few. He loves spending time outside. As far as sports is concerned, he enjoys all motorsports.
Dylan with AWLL client Hank
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Dylan
Hailing from the Chattanooga, TN, Dylan Austin is an avid animal lover who joins the A Whole Lotta Lovefamily after moving to North Carolina from Santa Clara, California. Dylan attended Birmingham-South College and studied economics. Growing up, Dylan had dogs. Dylan’s first dog, Harley, was a mini Dachshund. And then he got a Shiba Inu and German Shepherd mix named Missy. Dylan now resides with his wife, Caitlin and his two dogs, Maggie and Maddie. Maggie is a lab mix and Maddie is a beagle mix. Dylan is a Corvette enthusiast and likes to spend his free time driving his Corvette on sunny days. He is also employed at O’Reilly Auto Parts. When not working, Dylan enjoys playing video games. He also is a big fan of Duke basketball. When I asked Dylan what he likes best about working at A Whole Lotta Love Dylan responded, “I love meeting four-legged friends and the excitement each of them bring!” We are happy to have Dylan as part of the AWLL team! |