Weird Idea

[contra80]

I recently lost both of my dogs, which had been in the family for 10-12 years.  One of the things I'm finding  I miss the most (next to the Dogs themselves..) is our late evening walks.  I'd typically take them on a 2-3 mile walk each evening (usually after 8pm), which was as much for me as it was for them - my chance to decompress at the end of each day. 

I'd go on a walk by myself, but was thinking about offering to walk other people dogs in my neighborhood - free of change or even collect money for charity.  I was always surprised that I seems to be one of a handful of people in my neighborhood that EVER walked their dogs (funny people will spend 000's on grooming but cant exercise their pets..).  Most dogs in my hood are confined to a backyard or house 24/7, so it'd be a win/win for me, the dog, and possible a charity.  Any thoughts from the MMM community on this?

[swick]

I'm sorry for your loss :( I think it is a wonderful idea. Lots of people offer dog walking as a side hustle, if you are in a position to donate your profits to charity, do something you enjoy and get some pups some much needed exercise that is awesome.

[I'm a red panda]

I'm sorry for your loss. One of my dogs is getting up there in years and I'm dreading the day...

We let a few neighbors walk our dogs; kids who really wish they had a dog but don't. I'm always happy to let someone responsible walk the dog for me.  Free- is awesome.

I wouldn't pay for dog walking as I could do it myself; but lots of people pay for the service.

[Digital Dogma]

If you can manage to time your walks for the middle of the day you could probably do pretty well for yourself walking peoples dogs while they are at work for a couple bucks. Not a bad idea!

[Suze456]

https://www.borrowmydoggy.com

[aschmidt2930]

Another option is volunteering at a shelter, they're always looking for people to play with/walk the dogs.

[PJ]

What a lovely thought!  (And I'm sorry for your loss)

Another option to consider is fostering, if you'd like to have a dog again but not the expense or being tied down in terms of travel, etc.  Usually the rescue will cover most/all of the costs, and you can have several or only one dog, and either continuously have one in your house or take breaks in between.  Note though that many rescued animals may have some medical or behavioural issues to be addressed, so you'd also have to work with the rescue group on what you're up for handling.

[Mezzie]

I think that is a lovely idea. :)

[nereo]

Another option is volunteering at a shelter, they're always looking for people to play with/walk the dogs.

I love your idea.  I also think this idea (above: volunteering at shelters) will help fill an almost constant need.
Good luck to you, and sorry about hte loss of your companions.

[Firehazard]

So sorry you lost your dogs.  I have two as well, and can't imagine being without them.  I love your idea of offering to walk your neighbors dogs.   I can tell you that there are far too many dogs in my neighborhood not getting walked.  Check out Nextdoor.com.  If your neighborhood is active on there, it's a great way to get some response to your offer of free dog walks.  The dogs will appreciate it!

[Dicey]

In  my old neighborhood, there was a guy who used to walk his lovely French Poodle, Louis, at least twice a day. Then he started walking his neighbor's Dashund, Elle, at least once between Loius' walks. Then they had to put their beloved Loius down. Happily, he now walks Elle at least twice daily. She's his over the fence neighbor. So sweet. Funny that he never, ever walked them together.

So sad that you lost your dogs. So nice that you want to reach out and walk someone else's dogs, as my neighbor does, instead of retreating into your sorrow.

[GreenSheep]

I love this and don't think it's weird at all! Happy dogs, happy neighbors!

[boyerbt]

Sorry for your loss.

As with the general crowd I think it is a fantastic idea and would most likely be very popular. We have two older dogs (12yo Shih-Tzu & 10yo Husky) and they go on 2-4 walks per day depending on the weather as well as season. Our neighborhood is the same as yours, we see the same handful of people walking their dogs while the rest bark from the windows, backyards, or invisible fences.

I definitely feel like I will be lost without our daily walks once the pups are no longer here.

[moof]

Don't be surprised if one of the dogs ends up coming home with you.

Twenty odd years ago when I was a teenager we would like our dogs past a small trailer park.  The one on the end had a big old malamute that lived in a pathetic little box on the end of a chain.  It was meager for a dog in Alaska.  We would toss treats to her, and eventually offered to take her with us.  Turns out it was the typical puppy for Xmas, then kid moves out scenario.  After a few months the family and dog disappeared, and we ended up tracking them down and taking in the dog.  She had a very nice few years of retirement sleeping indoors once we gave her a much needed bath.

[BlueHouse]

I offered to walk a next-door neighbor's dog once.   They would spend hours on the treadmill in front of the TV, but then the most the dog ever got was a 10 minute walk up and down the same sorry patch of grass.  it was a golden and so obviously in need of exercise.  It broke my heart.  After the dog ate a rubber-bottomed bath mat out of boredom and almost died, I thought they would have wised up and taken more effort with the dog.  But nope, didn't happen. 

Anyway, remember that your offer might be seen as an insult in that you don't think they're walking their dogs enough, so sharing the backstory will make them think They are helping YOU without feeling judged. 

[partgypsy]

I recently lost both of my dogs, which had been in the family for 10-12 years.  One of the things I'm finding  I miss the most (next to the Dogs themselves..) is our late evening walks.  I'd typically take them on a 2-3 mile walk each evening (usually after 8pm), which was as much for me as it was for them - my chance to decompress at the end of each day. 

I'd go on a walk by myself, but was thinking about offering to walk other people dogs in my neighborhood - free of change or even collect money for charity.  I was always surprised that I seems to be one of a handful of people in my neighborhood that EVER walked their dogs (funny people will spend 000's on grooming but cant exercise their pets..).  Most dogs in my hood are confined to a backyard or house 24/7, so it'd be a win/win for me, the dog, and possible a charity.  Any thoughts from the MMM community on this?

Yes, I think that is interesting. One time we dog sat a friend's dog (an obese beagle) for a week at our house. I asked the dog's walk schedule, and the response was "she doesn't like walks." I thought that was odd. Anyways I took the dog out when I walked my dog, and she LOVED the walks, and would get excited when it was time for the walk. Made me realize they probably never took her on walks : (.  I'm the same way as you; one of the benefit to having a dog is the walks.