I’ve always made a big deal both here on the blog and in the articles I write for doggies.com and breeders.net, about how having a four-legged family member is a full-time gig. However, I can see some merit to this dog-sharing idea, particularly for people who need to be away from home for any length of time.
Whether your job takes you out of the house for 8 hours or more each day or if you travel extensively, I can see where it would be neat to share the duties of taking care of a dog rather than worrying about kenneling or finding a friend to stop by every day.
The Province is reporting on Gavin Flett, a recent business graduate from the B.C. Institute of Technology, who listened when his friends said, “I’d love to have a dog part time.” Other friends were having a hard time finding someone to take care of their dog while they were travelling, and an idea was born.
Flett has put up a website, and hands out free homemade dog treats at a local farmers’ market to market the business.
Visitors to the website are classified as either dog owners (who pay a monthly fee) or dog lovers who join for free and provide everything from daily walks to long-term care for dogs at no cost to the owners.
Although the business is growing slowly, I do think this sounds like an idea whose time has come. All of us are busy and likely to only get busier, and this service allows our dogs to get more loving. As a foster parent, I can tell you I have a firm belief that you can never have too many people who love you!
My only advice is that both parties make sure they have a VERY clear understanding of who is going to do what and when. You’d hate to think of crossed wires causing a dog to sit alone for days on end when each person thought the other was taking care of him or her.
What do you think?
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!