Dog walking

[zmook.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the other day that I miss having a dog. I really can't have one -- I live alone, and am just not home enough to take care of one. It occurred to me, though, that maybe there's someone else in the area that has a dog, that wouldn't mind if I took him out for a walk once in a while. Could be a win for everybody, including the dog.

Ideally, this dog lives in the Ball Square area between Broadway, Boston, Morrison and Willow, and wouldn't mind if I stopped by on random weekday evenings and weekends to go for a walk. Ideally also, no one will *depend* on me showing up regularly -- my schedule is too busy and erratic and I just couldn't commit to that.

But if free, irregular, bonus dog walking sounds good to you, let me know, c/r/o/a/l/d, g/m/a/i/l.



(edited to fix image)

Comments

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

You know what service would be perfect for you? A dog-rental company (http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/06/ban_proposed_fo.html).

[violet-helix.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure where it stands right now, but there is an active movement in the legislature to ban pet rental in MA. The theory is that the dogs get waaaay stressed from being passed around so much. Streed dogs are far more prone to behavior problems including biting.

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

The other thing is volunteering as a dog walker at the Boston Animal Rescue League (http://www.arlboston.org/site/PageServer?pagename=new_homepage).

[maclou.livejournal.com]

So according to that the dog-rental company is actually NOT an option....

[zmook.livejournal.com]

I'd heard about that, but for one thing, they're in South Boston, not Davis Square. But also, it doesn't sound like they're really looking for me: "Please note that the volunteer program is highly competitive and submission of an application does not guarantee placement."

If I've got the wrong impression, and there's a shelter around here that actually is in need of walkers, please correct me. Otherwise, I think I'd actually rather get to know a specific dog. Someone around here has got a pup who'd like to get out more, I'm convinced. :)

[liza.livejournal.com]

It's in the South End, not South Boston, and it didn't seem particularly competitive when I volunteered there. But it's still certainly not in Somerville.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

i think it sounds much better to walk a dog from a shelter. the dog rental thing sounds like a good idea but you have to pay 300 bucks to become a member and 40 bucks per daily rental. that seems steep.

in terms of volunteering, i think they are always looking for volunteers but need to include the disclaimer that they can't volunteer placement to avoid discrimination suits if they deny someone a placement. and since the organization is open to the public, they probably sometimes have to turn away some nut jobs. but for the most part i would guess that they take people.

[zmook.livejournal.com]

Yeah, steep and frankly quite obnoxious. I am trying not to get pissed off that the idea of "dog rental" was even brought up in this thread. I'm just looking to see if I've got a neighbour I can help out.

The South End is just not an option. If I have an hour free in the evening, I can't exactly fill it with going to a place that takes 40-45 min in transit each way.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

yeah, i have mixed feelings about the phrase "dog rental". but if you think about underprivileged kids who participate in a Big Brother or Big Sister program, it's not much different, ya know? you're spending time with someone who needs it. but i don't understand why it has to cost so much.

you might consider putting in a Craigslist ad and actually charging people, b/c they may be more trusting of someone who charges 5 bucks a walk or so. then when you feel more connected to the owner, you could waive the fee on a case by case basis. people may be wary of giving their pets to a stranger who is kind enough to walk a dog for free, even though you have the best of intentions.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

but if you think about underprivileged kids who participate in a Big Brother or Big Sister program, it's not much different, ya know?

if the dog rental place was a shelter, that might be a vaguely similar concept, but it's not. as far as i can tell, these places buy a bunch of cutesy "in" dogs [probably from irreputable sources] and then rent them out to people with money to burn. these poor dogs will never bond with a human and when they aren't rented out they sit around like toys on a shelf somewhere.

people that "need" to spend time with dogs can benefit from therapy dogs, and dogs that need people can be found in shelters and rescues. this service just makes me want to throw up.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

love the pug icon! the article made it sound like they are attempting to simultaneously adopt out the animals but in the meantime rent them? is that not true? if so, it would be a bit like fostering a child for a day while he/she waits for an adoptive home. i hear your sentiment and am in agreement (it would be awful if the dogs just sit like toys on a shelf with no other purpose), but is that really the case?

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

honestly i'm not entirely sure. i've heard about a few of these things popping up, and some certainly sounded like what i made it out to be but i'm definitely not saying they all are like that. i got my second pug via rescue and know they are ALWAYS in need of donations and volunteers and so if it were a program more like that i'd be all for it. it's just that many articles i've seen are rather vague when it comes down to what the long term goal is for the dogs and how they're being cared for in the meantime when not with a renter.

[and re: icon, thanks! :D]

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

wow,congratulations on getting your pug via pug rescue! my sister is extremely involved in helping pugs out in Seattle where she lives. you can even buy a small handbag and she donates the proceeds to a pug rescue organization. (http://www.laurabeedesigns.com)they have something called a "Pug Crawl" where pugs are dressed up and march in a parade with their adoptive owners. i've been really wanting to get involved with such an organization out here but haven't found any. which pug rescue did you use?

(back to your point, someone should do a research project and actually investigate wtf is going on at the dog renter places so we can get a straight answer).

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

thanks! i got big p through precious pugs rescue and adoption, ppra.org. each year they have a pug social where all the proceeds from all the vendors and things go to the rescue, it's awesome and a lot of fun, even if it is a little hokey :p

there is also one more new england based [pug rescue of new england? it's been awhile], but i have a friend who fosters for ppra so that's how i got involved with them.

i also used to participate in the message boards and things a bunch and there are some ladies in florida that make clothes, belly bands, etc for pugs or any dog and they just take donations of fabric scraps and then all the money goes to rescue also. it's really an amazing thing - back in the day i thought there was only "the pound" and i'm so glad i know about all this other stuff now!

anyways, yes, i def. want to hear the real facts about these dog rentals :)

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

(it does gross me out if the dog rental place is making $ off the dogs, versus it being strictly a volunteer/activist organization).

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

It's too bad we're not in your neighborhood (We're in West Medford). My housemates' dog always wants tons of attention.

[librarybrandy.livejournal.com]

Completely off-topic, but your icon is the cutest little rat. I'd love to have one (or two)--I used to have three and I miss them--but my roommate is totally freaked out by rodents, caged or otherwise.

Maybe I should rent one when he's out of town? :)

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

Rent-a-rat? :-D

Actually we gave her away recently. But I keep the icon because it's cute.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Aw, cute doggie!

I'm just leaving a comment to say hi. Sorry I couldn't make it to the last bbq.

[kalimba21.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're not getting better response here. I'm a few neighborhoods east, and my dog's elderly and only into short walks. If not for those 2 issues I'd love someone like you to come by and give my dog extra exercise. Seriously.

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I'm not questioning your intentions or anything but a lot of people would be hesitant about something like this. I would never leave my animals with a stranger. I would much rather pay someone from a professional company or a dog walker who has good references. This is almost like going online and asking a random person if they can let you take care of their house while they're away. Or saying you'd like a digital camera but can't afford one, could you borrow one every so often. There is no way any of these would go over with me.
There are plenty of places to volunteer at. The rent a pet is creepy to me. But there are shelters around. Or you could call some of the area veterinary clinics and ask if they ever need a volunteer, etc. If you can't find anything, you'd be better off asking someone who knows you personally, if you could take their dog out every so often.

[veda815.livejournal.com]

+1. I'm sure you mean well, but as a dog owner I don't see any advantage in this for me.

I would love to have someone who could come walk my dog on a consistent schedule while I am at work, say, Mon/Wed/Fri at noon. Or who I could call when I have to work late. But coming when it's convenient to you, would inconvenience me.

Plus, I would expect you to have references and insurance.

[zmook.livejournal.com]

As far as references go, Davis Square being what it is, I'm sure we have friends in common. I'd never expect to just show up at a stranger's door and say hey, give me your dog -- I'm assuming this would be a friendly thing. We'd have to get to know each other first (hi, neighbour). The dog would have to like me. Obviously I wouldn't come by at times that were inconvenient for anyone.

Whatever. I'm not trying to persuade you in particular -- if it doesn't sound good to you, then it's probably not a good idea. I was just thinking, most dogs I've known, no one has ever had enough time to give them all the walks they wanted to go on. Digital cameras don't get unhappy if they spend too much time in a drawer.

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

Nowhere in my reply to you did I say you were speaking to me in particular. I am simply sharing with you how many people would be. I doubt we have any friends in common. Most of mine have had to move out of Somerville. Those that were able to stay don't hang around Davis. Most dogs are used to their schedule and if unhappy when their pet parent is gone, it is because their pet parent is gone. Not necessarily because they have no human around. I didn't assume you were just going to walk up on someones door step that you hadn't previously met lol. Most people would have to know someone more then just a "hi, neighbor" before ever allowing them to take their pets. If someone was a really good friend that would be one thing but not an acquaintance. How would you get into the house to get the pet? There re many concerns with something like this. We can go back and forth on that all day. Neither of us has time nor would it get us anywhere. I'm not trying to argue, I was making a point. I wasn't saying you were a bad person, I was pointing out how some people would view this. You should try one or more of the suggestions that myself and others have mentioned.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

what kind of insurance?

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

yeah, i can't imagine someone being like "hey who wants to let me take their kid out some night?" heh.

but the biggest issue i think the op might face is that many people are looking for someone to keep their pet company when they aren't home. i work for ten hours so when i get home on a weekday evening, i want to spend time with my dog!

still, to the op good luck, maybe there are smaller rescues in your area? rescues i have worked with don't have central locations because they don't have the money and the volunteers have regular full time jobs and just care for as many animals as they can in their own homes until they are adopted. i'm sure an org like that would take any help they could get any time.