How are you enjoying meeting up with [volunteer] Rachael and [her dog] Teddy?
I like it! Originally I couldn’t walk very far because my long covid was so bad, so we’d spent lots of time in park cafes. Since then we've been to lots of different places and do a mix of short or long walks. Teddy is a little, funny dog who eats everything all the time! Rachael and I always get a cup of coffee and have good fun.
What do you enjoy most about your walks?
It really depends how I’m feeling; if I’ve got lots of energy, I enjoy the walking aspect and if I haven’t got enough [energy], I like sitting down and having a cup of coffee with Rachael. I don’t mind the weather but Rachael doesn’t like the rain so if it’s raining, she’ll be more likely steer us towards the cafe! Honestly, it’s the meeting up with Rachael that I enjoy the most, socialising and also meeting other dogs and their owners.
What do you and [your volunteer] Rachael talk about?
Everything! Our families, holidays, her job and my job. She's interested in mine because I worked in mental health and she works in PR. We talk about everything really, just life and where we are. We talk about Teddy and are constantly documenting his adventures: ‘oh he’s gone over there!’ you’ll hear us say. We’re both chatty so we’re always talking!
Have you been out more because of our service?
Yeah, I have! I've been to different places and socialised with a new person which is good for me. I’ve also walked on days I wouldn't have walked usually because I know Rachael’s coming. I was after something a bit different and my incentive was to meet somebody different - and when I saw the dog thing, I thought, ‘oh yes, good!’ as the best thing for me is to socialise and get outside, so that’s lovely.
Have you always loved dogs?
I haven't actually. My mum didn’t like dogs so as a child, I’d always hear her say “oh no!” anytime she saw a dog and I was never really exposed to them - she always had cats. But quite a few of my friends have dogs and when I was ill with covid, I couldn’t do anything so I stayed with my friend and her daughter. Her daughter is also called Rachael and also has the same dog breed as my Rachael from CareDogs!
The dog’s name is Hester and she was really lovely because I’d be in bed a lot and she would come and lay on my bed and bring me all her strange toys. She still remembers me when I go to stay there!
It’s been a journey but now I think that my mum was wrong - dogs are nice!
What attracted you to the CareDogs service in the first place?
Since my long covid was so long and wasn't getting much better, I needed things to do that would be easyish and supportive. I didn't want to join something new or have to travel and there are a lot things I want to do but can’t, so when I saw this on Facebook, I thought, okay I liked Hester (the dog) and this seems like a good idea; it will be exercise that doesn’t involve a gym!
What's your favourite thing about Teddy [the dog]?
I think he’s quite funny and he does the least straightforward walking than any other dog! He smells something and he goes off, then he comes back and he sees really big dogs and he goes up to them. He doesn’t worry! Then he'll stop for ages and then he’ll go for ages; he's just quite amusing. He's got character, he’s soft and I suppose I have to say he’s handsome. He has lovely fur and he’s very determined about what he wants to do. He can be quite shy and keeps close to Rachael but he recognises me so lets me hold him too. I think he very much associates me with going for a walk, and maybe with getting something to eat too!
What difference has having access to a dog made to you?
It’s giving me another activity to enrich my life. It’s good because I can only do one small thing a day so it's one of the things that I do now. It's another string to my bow.
Rachael is very flexible which is great for me. Sometimes we walk a bit and then sit down or walk a bit further or we stop. Sometimes we only go for a very small walk and other times, a bigger walk so it is very different all the time which is good. We've got a really good relationship and we get on!
As told to Julia Gunning
CareDogs are dedicated to tackling social isolation in older people and pairing them up with local befrienders and their dogs to get walking and have happier and healthier lives. If you or someone you know could benefit from our service, we are currently operating in the South London boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth - please email us at kate@caredogs.org.uk