Volunteered For Walking Rescue Dogs

Since the passing of my Airedale Terrier Sky, I have missed walking a dog, so Ive been on the look out for possible options.

One of them I found was at R.A.T.S, the Re-homing Animal Telephone Service, which is a fairly local charity.

I had been in email contact this week with them and found out that basically anyone

can go down between the hours of 10am - 4pm and walk a dog. That suits me just fine.

It took me longer than expected to find it at about 50 mins in the car. Although getting home via a different route it was less than 30 mins, so not too long really. Of course in ideal world Id like something a bit nearer.

The first dog I walked was a Lurcher male named Marley. He is approximately 2 years old and supposedly good with other dogs and children. I had asked for an easy dog to walk as it was my first time as a volunteer. I wouldn't say he was easy, within seconds of him coming out he had his paws near my face. He also pulled a bit, especially when saw a dog in the distance. He also didnt know any obedience. On the walk he paid me virtually no attention to me. Wasnt untill the end of the walk when I sat down and gave him some affection that I really got any eye contact.

. I walked him for an hour.

Then seeing as it had taken me so long to find the place I thought I may as well make the most of the time and asked to walk a another dog.

In email contact this week the lady Lisa had mentioned a dog called Kizzy who had been there a while and when I first enquired about her, straight after saying I wanted an easy dog the kennel hand Carol said she was far from easy. Anyway, Kizzy was then the 2nd dog she bought out for me to walk, a Rottweiler cross.

Shes 8 years old and has been in the kennels for 2 years. The Kennel lady had told me she doesnt like her head touched. When I bought her back and asked a couple of questions she told me that Kizzy had been known to bite in the past but that her behaviour had improved with training.

For me she walked fairly well. Didnt pull hard, but was often trying to edge in front.

She was obedient and would sit when asked at gates and also knew down, stay and come, all while on the lead.

I walked her for 1 hour 40 mins. The walks are in nice countryside area around some fields. I got good bout of much need exercise and more importantly so did the 2 dogs.