I read somewhere that enquiries for dogs from rescue centres has increased by 600% over the last six months, similarly the price of puppies has increased dramatically, and if the evidence from my perambulations around the local parks is anything to go by, I would say that there must be some truth in this.
It would indeed seem that in this time of turmoil we have turned to man’s best friend to help us through. But why is it that we love dogs so much?
In a world where dog lovers wear rose tinted spectacles, dogs are the perfect companions, they do as they are told, don’t answer back, are always pleased to see you and ensure we exercise at least once a day. We can happily overlook muddy paw prints and chewed shoes; it’s give and take and dogs give far more than to allow these to be anything other than small inconveniences. But a dog is more than just a companion, I believe they can assist with mindset and healing. A few years ago, I struggled with chronic fatigue, it was physically and mentally debilitating. Keeping motivated was very hard, especially living alone. I decided during this time that I wanted a dog. A dear friend of mine went berserk: ‘You couldn’t get out of bed half the time, you couldn’t work, you couldn’t afford a dog.’
I knew that I needed the company and motivation as something to look after. We compromised, they got Maisie and I got her for doggy day care. It worked out perfectly.
During lockdown I resumed walking Maisie. Every afternoon she waits at the window to see my car coming. By the time I’ve parked, she’s waiting by the front door exuding so much excitement. Little can compare with watching a happy dog, careering around the park, chasing squirrels (she’s not been successful in eight years) tail wagging with sheer, unbridled joy.
My neighbour was so taken with Maisie, that he decided to get himself a dog. He maintains it’s changed his life and that he’s met more people, that he now considers friends, by walking Coco than he ever met at football practice or fishing. I know what he means. Another friend recently moved back from India to London and bemoaned that everyone is so unfriendly down in the big smoke, even the dog walkers. I replied, “You should move to Yorkshire, you can’t get your dog walked for friendly dog walkers up here!” I speak the truth. What starts out as a quick walk can end up taking a couple of hours.
I’ve met fellow dog walkers who’ve helped me with graphic design, invited me along to the pub, who’ve needed writing work doing and passed it my way, and I’ve sold several of my books. However, we don’t know each other by name, only the dog’s names which is how this next mention gets to stay moderately anonymous. The other afternoon in Carr Lodge Park, three of us had gathered and were discussing puppy progress when all of a sudden, over the brow of the hill, appeared three other dog walkers with five cockerpoos between them, a brown, two black and two white, Maisie (a large variety of cockerpoo) and Coco (a grey) ran over to join in the fun, ‘Oh look,’ said Coco’s owner, ‘There’s every coloured cockerpoo you can get, you could write another book, 50 Shades of Poo,’ And I think that, is the perfect place to wind this up, don’t you?
Philippa Kaye is a local author, her book, Escape to India is available at Darling Reads of Horbury and on Amazon.
