Betty, Pav and Mia
I knock on the door of a villa tucked away in Westminster. I can hear the signature snuffing and barking that I’m so used to hearing when I visit the home of a POOPS client. Mia, a young Cavoodle, shows great excitement at my visit. Pav, an older gent who is a bit Corgi and a bit Westie, hangs back regarding me with interest.
Pav and Mia, the furry POOPS clients, live with Betty. We sit down in the dining room and I hear all about the resident duo. Betty tells me, “I’ve been with Pav here for 14 years. He’s a very caring dog. Pav’s an older boy so he’s on tablets for bronchitis and arthritis.” Pav is sitting patiently next to my leg, waiting for a pat. I oblige him and he seems content. He seems like the kind of dog who just likes to be near you, within reach.
”Miss Mia is a gorgeous, naughty little girl. She is a Cavoodle, but more like a Cavalier.” Mia sits watching us chat with her head resting on the ground, those expressive eyebrows jumping around as her eyes shift between us. She seems like a dog who just needs to know what’s happening and keeps an eye out.
Betty tells me how she came to be a POOPS client. “I’ve been with POOPS for, I think, 4 years now. Someone dropped a flyer in my letterbox once, and that’s how I found out about POOPS.
I’m limited in what I can do with my back problems, and the support of POOPS means everything.”
Since connecting with POOPS, Betty has had a few dog walkers, but none more long-standing than Lindsey. “I was lucky enough to meet Lindsey as my first walker and she is still walking almost every day. They know when it’s 4 o’clock and time for Lindsey to arrive. They look forward to her visit. I also have another two walkers who visit to fill in.”
I have a very good relationship with my walkers. All of my walkers are just lovely people.”
Betty shares how POOPS is more than dog-walking to her, it’s also a connection,
POOPS has become my social life. We go to the park virtually everyday.
I enjoy watching Pav and Mia walk and play with Lindsey. Pavs loves to play ball and Mia just enjoys walking around the park and meeting everyone. Mia is a people dog, she loves people.”
Like many POOPS clients and volunteers, Betty grew up with dogs in her life. “My father was a dog breeder and trainer. He had German Shepherds, Corgis and Border Collies. When I moved into my unit, I just wanted smaller dogs though.”
Betty trusts POOPS and her walkers to take care of Pav and Mia, “The volunteer walkers have come around and had a coffee first. I felt like I could trust them and they are sincere. I don’t think POOPS would recommend anybody who wasn’t right for dog-walking.”
Betty shares her appreciation of her walkers and POOPS, saying that,
POOPS is absolutely fantastic.I really admire all the people who put their talent and effort into it. There’s a lot of people who can’t walk their dogs any more. It’s just fantastic.
POOPS is a great organisation and I donate every Christmas to support the work they do.”
“Pav and Mia bring love into my life. Mia is very affectionate, but they are both loving. I don’t think I could carry on the way I do without my dogs. They are the joy in my life these days.”
As we wrap up our chat, and take photos of the adorable audience we’ve had, Betty shares a message for her walkers,
To Lindsay and Nat I would say a very big thank you. I’m so pleased that my dogs are happy with you and that we are personally forming a friendship. They are just beautiful people.”
