“Exactly four years ago I adopted a retired greyhound from Foal Farm called Ellie.

Having never had a dog before, the first few months were a huge learning curve and

involved a certain amount of home wrecking mainly due to my rookie mistakes. We

got there in the end and she has totally changed my life for the better. I am hoping

the feeling is mutual.

I have always wanted to do some volunteering, but with a full-time job, and now a

hound, I thought this would be impossible. Then, three years ago, I saw that

CareDogs were looking for volunteers to go for walks with older people. CareDogs

offered excellent training and guidance, and I soon found myself paired with Colin.

Fast forward three years and we are still happily stepping out together every Sunday

morning with an enthusiastic Ellie. I have gained a friend and Colin has become

more active because of our walks. He is more likely to walk or use the bus than he

used to and has become involved in local initiatives such as Men in Sheds and now

volunteers at the Saxon Day Centre.

Fiona and Ellie with their CareDogs clients Colin and Gill

More recently, a second person joined our

Sunday morning meanderings. Gill was in effect recruited by Colin, as he is very

good at spreading the word about CareDogs. Has the dynamic changed? Yes, but in

a really positive way. Colin and Gill swap ideas and suggestions about local activities

and gardening and have even been known to go on walks without me! Ellie and I

love our Sunday morning walks. Chatting with friends, exercise and fresh air, barking

at squirrels – what a perfect start to the day.”

Fiona Freel
November 2024