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Dogs Lovers Needed to Help Combat Loneliness at Christmas

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Barking Mad Dog Sitters Launch Christmas Loneliness Initiative

Could you and your favourite dog spread a little Christmas cheer?

At Barking Mad Dog Care, we’re so excited to announce the launch of our festive campaign, to help address the heartbreaking problem of loneliness in local communities. In December 2016 we encouraged our dog sitting service‘s customers, hosts and on-line followers to ‘Follow your dog’s lead to bring Christmas spirit to lonely neighbours’ which was a great success and this year we are hoping to reach out to even more people who may be feeling alone at Christmas, whilst spreading the joy that only our canine companions can bring.

Could you take your favourite dog to visit a neighbour?

We are encouraging dog lovers to take a friendly pooch to say hello to someone who would appreciate a visit from a furry visitor and a chat. We aim to inspire the realisation that the greatest gift anyone can give this Christmas is time.

The Campaign to End Loneliness declares that research reveals loneliness in older age is ‘more likely than ever’ and worryingly, that three quarters of over 65s say that they would find it hard to admit to feeling lonely because they don’t want to be a burden. Equally Christmas can really amplify the desolating effects of bereavement, divorce or illness amongst younger people too.

Dogs can be such a great ice-breaker and a real conversation starter, so why not consider if there is someone nearby who you could begin to chat to. A common sense approach is obviously required though and the dog must be of suitable temperament. We will be promoting the initiative via our Facebook page throughout December and would absolutely love to hear from you, if you and your favourite dog have managed to spread a little festive cheer!

Help us get together this Christmas…

This year we will also be taking part in  The Great Christmas Get Together which encourages community events as part of a campaign run by the Jo Cox Foundation. Their campaign declares:

“Christmas is a time when too many people are isolated and alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way!”

This is a sentiment which we couldn’t agree with more and we love their idea of building closer communities by sharing #MincePieMoments on the 24-26th of December.

Barking Mad Founder and Managing Director, Lee Dancy, says:

““Great Britain is a nation of dog lovers but sadly not everyone is able to own a pet for practical and emotional reasons. Taking half an hour out of your busy Christmas schedule, to visit an individual who’d really appreciate the chance to spend time with a lovely, friendly dog, can be so rewarding. We hope that through this initiative and taking part in the Great Christmas Get Together, we can help ensure that isolated people feel valued and included at Christmas.”

Barking Mad Dog Sitters Host Christmas Get Togethers as Part of Host Community Activities

Kerry wells of Barking Mad Spalding hosts a Christmas get together in December 2016

Our network of Barking Mad local branches will be holding Host Community events throughout December, where everyone is invited along to join in with the conversation and refreshments. If you would like to find out more about coming along to a Host Community Christmas Get Together or would simply like to find out more about our dog sitting service, click here to find your local Barking Mad branch. We’d love to say hello!

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