United Kingdom
Learn how Swapadog was born!
This is my story...
When we first had Ellie, our yellow Labrador, we became very friendly with a neighbour who also had a dog, a beagle called Gus and would often meet when out for walks on the fields and footpaths around our homes.
Our dogs got to know each other quite well and would play happily whilst we chatted and walked along; and it was purely in conversation one day, that our neighbour mentioned she was away for a weekend soon and had been unable to book Gus into kennels as they were full... She had left it too late.
I thought about it for a while and then tentatively asked her if she would like us to have Gus for the weekend. After all, he knew me quite well, loved playing 'fetch' with our children and had always been a friendly play mate for Ellie. My neighbour enthusiastically agreed and we spent a couple of hours discussing routines, meals, favourite treats and also the vet she used and insurance company Gus was insured under. They saved an incredible £200 by not placing Gus in some strangers kennel. That was all 2 years ago, and needless to say not only are Ellie and Gus still the greatest of friends, but we have trusted carers in our neighbours and whenever one of us is away, whether for an overnight stay or a fortnights holiday, we take care of each others pets with the same care as we do our own.
Ellie now has an extended family whom she is happy and relaxed to stay with. She knows the walks and is familiar with he 'holiday home' routines. Of course, she still goes mad with delight when we come home again, but most importantly for us she is happy to go into our neighbour's house and see us leave. No more whining and dragging behind our legs.
For us it is fun having Gus to stay for various periods of time. As an older dog he is calmer than Ellie and she naturally respects him and is quite happy to share her toys with him. We decided it was better for them to have their own space and they sleep in seperate rooms with their own baskets, bedding, toys etc. but the routines are pretty much the same and we are the pack leaders, making all the rules, which they happily accept.
This has proved to be the ideal solution for all of us, not only is Ellie loved and well cared for; we have saved a lot of money in kennel or pet sitting fees.
UNTIL that is........ a month ago our neighbours were relocated. We are going away in a couple of month's time, what would we do? And so the idea of SWAP A DOG was born........
Neville Price - Founder of Swapadog.com
A Dogs Life Just Got Better!
