A dog IS for Christmas

If all you really want this year is a pooch under the tree then a loan pup is far better than your own mutt, says Susannah Butter
23 December 2013

What Julia looks forward to most every Christmas isn’t presents or roast potatoes — it’s spending time with Rita, her sister’s dalmatian. “It’s too much bother for my sister and her family to take the dog to her father-in-law’s in Devon with them. They don’t want to put her in a kennel so my boyfriend and I get her all to ourselves. We can hang out on Hampstead Heath and I know I can give her back at the end of the week, so the boring side of dog ownership doesn’t feel like a chore.” Pawsome.

This year, a dog is for Christmas. No one wants their four-legged friend to be left behind in the great London exodus that will soon be upon us — you just wouldn’t be able to enjoy yourself knowing they’re lonely in a strange environment. Far better to give them to a friend who will appreciate them. It’s a win-win situation. Pooches are a great life-enhancer, it’s one thing that George Osborne is right about, and the Obamas love their mutts Bo and Sunny so much they have allowed them to “sign” their Christmas card — so why not spread the unifying puppy love?

“Dogs bring so much joy, especially at this time of year,” says Rikke Rosenlund. Last year she started BorrowMyDoggy (borrowmydoggy.com), a service based in Google Campus that puts dog owners in touch with those who want to look after them.

“We’re always busy but at Christmas we get a lot of requests, both for people to look after their pets and people who want a pet at this time of year. I completely understand this feeling. Dogs get excited over everything, which makes you feel good. Taking them for walks also makes sure you exercise in between the festive eating. Christmas is a good time to borrow a dog too, because people generally have more time to look after them.”

Rita the dalmatian was in such high demand that Julia had to make a special early bid for her. “A friend of my sister’s also wanted to look after her so I had to really make a good case and play the family card. I’ve even bought Rita a present.”

Obviously, animal welfare is the priority. Dog owner Rob Sollar says he wouldn’t have been able to go away knowing his pug Charlie was unhappy. “We’re going away to Belgium over New Year so Charlie is going to stay with friends. He’s only three months old so if he was in kennels I’d worry that he wouldn’t get enough attention. He’s used to being around people and it’s important he picks up good habits. If nobody had agreed to look after him we would have cancelled our trip. Our friends are keen to look after him because he is super-cute. They will definitely be getting beer and chocolate as a thank you.”

Emilie Hodge, who is looking after her friend’s hound at the moment, says the experience has made her a hero in the eyes of her children, Esme, four and Agnes, two. “They are completely obsessed and thrilled to have Stinky Dog (real name Tinka) at Christmas. With busy lives it would be completely crazy for us to add a dog to our household permanently. This way everyone is happy.”

It’s an ideal arrangement. The only difficulty is giving the dog back. Remember, a borrowed dog is for Christmas, not for life.

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