Do you miss having a dog and would like one part time?

Sounds like a good idea. I might not want to give it back.

We used to do that with our dogs. They loved it! Better than going in kennels. The lady who looked after them was wonderful with them and they were very happy to go there.
Nowadays our son comes to stay at our house to look after them and they love that too.

That is a brilliant idea, so much more personal than kennels. Everybody wins.

What a good idea. I'm retiring soon and would love a dog but I've never had one before.

This would give me an idea of how it would be in reality. ???

I looked after a friend's two dogs once for a fortnight many years ago. It was so embarrassing because one did not want to return, he had had such a good time with me. He was an old English sheepdog and gorgeous. The other was an Alsation and well behaved. He also showed some reluctance to go home- my friend was in tears. My cat was overjoyed that they were leaving.

We haven't had our own dog for 18 years, but we often look after our DS's dog when he's away (he goes away a lot!). My DH also walks said dog daily while DS is at work and I take my DD's dog out a couple of times a week, or DH takes both dogs out together. So all in all we really don't miss having a dog of own at all!

It is a good idea, I'm glad you all think so. It can be hard to hand them back but then you get the next doggy visitor and find you love that one too! Barking Mad has franchises allover England, Scotland and Wales, so if you like the idea, you can go to the website and put in your postcode. You'll be warmly welcomed, I know!