Neither a borrower nor a lender be? Not so where canine friends are concerned. Deana Luchia meets the local dog lovers for whom fur exchange is no robbery...
Dog sharing and borrowing offer benefits without full ownership
For many, having a dog is one of life’s biggest joys – all those long walks and friendly chats in the park, the endless love-bombing and complete lack of judgement. But not every canophile wants, or can have, a dog of their own.
Which is why some turn to sharing or borrowing to fill the dog-shaped hole in their hearts – you’re not the owner, but you get to spend time with a dog (or dogs) eager for walks, cuddles and play.
Some people share via a private arrangement with a friend or family member, but there are also organisations which can help. BorrowMyDoggy (BMD) matches dog lovers with dogs, while The Cinnamon Trust arranges – amongst other things – regular walkers for dogs belonging to ill or elderly owners.
Mel and Sue
Mel and Sue borrow six local dogs to avoid fixed commitments
Mel and Sue Spear, who live near Egham, began using BorrowMyDoggy 10 years ago, after their own dogs died. For Mel and Sue, borrowing is a great way to have dogs in their lives without any of the usual ties. They currently borrow six who live close by: “Rosie, Bailey, Orla, Clemmy, Solo and Cody,” says Mel, smiling as the names trip off his tongue.
“The big thing for us is that there’s no commitment,” he explains. “If we were proper dog walkers, it’d have to be weekly. As it is, we can say: ‘Nope, sorry, can’t do it.’
“On the other hand, I realised that tomorrow I’d be home alone and would want to go for a walk. So I contacted [Jack Russells] Clemmy and Solo’s owners, and they’re dropping them off. So, we get all the benefits.”
Mel and Sue
Taking in an unwell owner’s dog improved Mel’s mental wellbeing
The couple’s first sharing experience was through a private arrangement with the owners of a Catalan Sheepdog called Emma, originally from Spain. When her elderly owners became unwell and had to go into hospital, Emma stayed with Mel and Sue. It wasn’t long before they had her full time.
“We would take her back to her owners about once a week,” says Sue. “And she was very pleased to see them, but always anxious to get back to us again.”
“Emma was absolutely delightful,” adds Mel. “We like to think that we gave her the best three years of her life.
“Dogs really help my mental wellbeing, which is huge. Just having a dog around the house is so nice. I still find it odd walking in the park without one.”
And what’s in it for the dogs? Happiness and fun, insists Sue.
“You can see it the minute they come through the door. They’re happy to be here – just as they’re happy to go off with their owners.”
“They get so excited when they’re dropped off,” agrees Mel. “All of them, but particularly Clemmy and Solo. They go absolutely bonkers.”
Annabel and Charlie
Working mother Annabel set up a co-parenting deal for her poodle Charlie
Annabel Rosenhead shares her gorgeous poodle Charlie with Beth Parvin and Josh McClelland, who live in Teddington.
Charlie, who’s curled up in Annabel’s lap as we chat, was bought as a puppy in lockdown for her then 10-year-old daughter. Annabel soon discovered that he had attachment issues, making it almost impossible for him to be home alone.
As a busy working single mother, she realised that it would benefit Charlie if there were other people to spend time with him when she couldn’t. Soon she found Beth (and her partner, Josh) on BorrowMyDoggy.
“Beth and I bonded immediately,” says Annabel, “and she and Charlie were clearly in love with each other.”
It wasn’t long before Beth and Josh were having Charlie two or three times a week, sometimes for the whole day.
When Beth and Josh moved to a new place that allowed dogs, they told Annabel that they were thinking of getting a puppy of their own. Annabel asked if they’d like to share Charlie properly instead.
“I got an immediate yes,” she says, explaining how they sit down once a month with their calendars and arrange who has Charlie when.
“We’ve done this for two years now, and we’re all very lucky. There is a real mutual liking and respect. I have a very precious relationship with these people.”
At first, Charlie lived for two weeks with Annabel and her daughter and one week with Beth and Josh. Now, he spends most of his time with the couple – although he will “always be my baby”, admits Annabel.
“We love Charlie so much. The idea of looking after him more was always a no-brainer,” Beth tells me. “Whenever he’s not there, we really miss him.
“In terms of getting a puppy, we knew the unique stresses that would come with that. So when Annabel presented us with this option instead – to ‘co-parent Charlie’ – it made sense for everyone.”
Charlie, Beth & Josh
Slow introductions and remote work helped Beth build a routine with Charlie
Beth had originally signed up to BMD “out of curiosity and mostly to look at all the cute dogs”. Charlie was the only one that she and Josh ‘borrowed’, and she recommends taking it slowly when meeting a new dog.
“The first few times I had Charlie by myself, I just sat with him and let him get used to being around me. Gradually we built up the time he spent with me each week. I work remotely, so it was a good fit, as I could sit with him during the day and had a little buddy while I was working.
“We also made sure to communicate with Annabel and not to change too much of Charlie’s routine; the things he was used to.”
So what does Charlie mean to her?
“Because of my remote working, having Charlie around has done me a lot of good. He has created structure and routine in my day when I don’t always feel like implementing it. He also brings us so much joy every single day. I can’t imagine my life without him now.”
Lisa & Astra
Borrowing a labrador led Lisa to dog-sit and lodge with the owners
When Lisa Lang borrowed a black labrador called Astra from BMD, not only did she have a gorgeous dog in her life, but she also gained a family.
As a busy strategist who enjoys trips back home to Germany, Lisa knew that she couldn’t have a dog of her own, but taking Astra for walks and day trips fulfilled her doggy cravings.
“Astra is really gentle and empathetic,” she says. “She’s always happy and curious to explore new places.”
Lisa stayed at Astra’s home in Putney to dog-sit while her owners were on holiday. She later moved in full time, renting a room for three years – not something that normally happens through dog borrowing.
“I call them my UK family,” says Lisa. “The grandma calls me when I’m not well and the youngest daughter is like my little sister.”
Now in her own place, Lisa still sees Astra as often as she can and can’t recommend dog borrowing or sharing highly enough.
“It’s such a lovely thing to do,” she reflects, “and an easy way to meet nice people.”
