Dog Walkers

It's All About Now

By Gillian Roma

I've been dog walking since 1998 and my reasons have usually remained the same, but occasionally waiver. Some days it's for me. Always, it's for the dogs.

Sometimes there are stretches of time where one or two dogs stay on my mind when I am away from the shelter, and I itch to see them as soon as I can (Kirby was my all time favourite). So in I go to see my buddies and take their buddies out too.

I have learned a few things along the way. To dogs, "now" is everything. It's not this morning, or this evening, it's all about NOW. "Now" is what counts and when I take a dog for a walk or to the park, I try to give them the best "now" possible. I've learned to remember that while every dog in the shelter has had a tough life, each of them are all loved when they are in the shelter.

When I began there were no categories, you waited in the hallway until an attendant brought you a dog, any dog, and away you went. In 2005, it's an entirely new story; the number of walkers and skills of these walkers has increased. Watching what our walkers can do with a 'difficult dog' and the teamwork involved is truly inspiring.

I go because of the pride of belonging to such a dedicated team. When I am walking a dog in the neighbourhood and see other dog walkers in the distance, I say to myself and the dog I'm with, this is a great bunch of people. That is why I come here.

Gillian Roma