Volunteer Spotlight: Dan and Seb

Fast forward ten years and Dan was looking to move out of his parents' house and into a home of his own. "I knew I wanted a dog, so when I was looking at flats, I knew I needed an outdoor space and all that stuff – it was non-negotiable!"

He wanted to continue that journey with Dogs for Good, signed up to be a Puppy Socialiser and very soon, a handsome yellow labrador puppy called Frankie bounded into his life.

Dogs for Good asks volunteer socialisers to take their pups everywhere and include them in everything possible to get them ready for the world outside. Dan took this very seriously and took Frankie to his appointment at the barber shop where Seb had been cutting for him for years.

"He arrived with this nine-week-old puppy," says Seb. "And as soon as he did, that was it! I started finding out more about the charity and talking to my wife about what Dan was doing and she wasn't opposed to the idea. Having photos and videos of Frankie definitely helped seal the deal!"

Within a short space of time, black labrador puppy, Eddie, joined Seb's family. And the business!

"Eddie comes into the shop with me every day and at first, it was qute a lot to manage because he was so excited to see everyone that came through the door. But with the help of our Dogs for Good puppy co-ordinator, we learned how to manage his enthusiasm, and it's been a great way to teach him how to settle nicely and greet people politely when they come in.

"He now greets people with a toy, they say hello and as soon as they sit in the chair, he goes to his bed for a snooze. And as soon as the gown comes off, he’s ready to say goodbye. To be honest, all my clients really love him. Especially mums who come in with their children. He loves to cuddle up and play with the children so yeah, everyone is involved in Eddie's journey. And it'll be a good test to my business when he’s left us because we'll see whether they keep coming when I don't have a puppy!"

Seb and his wife also have a four-year-old daughter and knew she'd learn a lot from the experience of volunteering as a Puppy Socialiser. "We had to take into consideration a four-year old's feelings, too. We remind her often that he's off at some point but she understands that and actually, for kids, it's such a great way to learn about loss and that it doesn't always revolve around death. She knows that he's got a future ahead of him to help the people Dogs for Good supports and while she'll be sad – we'll all be sad, including my clients! – it's a positive learning."

Dan works from home as a Project Manager but is also a Personal Trainer, so Frankie attends gym sessions with him.

"I started out by taking him there when the gym was quiet and built it up," explains Dan. “There's also a gym in my apartment block so he got used to a smaller one first, which helped. I take him for a walk before I go and then by the time I'm working out he'll be happy to settle. He's on a lead and I clip him somewhere safe and secure near me, give him a treat once I've finished a set and the people there love him but know to ignore him. It's fairly routine now and he's so good. There's actually a qualified assistance dog that accompanies a lady at the gym and settles nicely, not bothered in the slightest. It's so lovely to see and if Frankie can go on to do that, it would be so rewarding for me."

Both Seb and Dan say that for anyone that wants a dog and wants to help people, puppy socialising is a perfect way to achieve both. "Obviously, you might want to do boarding first and dip your toe in the water before you dive all the way in," says Dan. "And you need to make sure you've got the right set up for it – direct access to a garden is key - but I live in a one-bedroom flat, so if I can make it work, anyone can really. And of course, when the dogs go to their forever home, it's not guaranteed that they'll live in a mansion with extensive grounds so that's something to remember."

Seb agrees. "My wife, daughter and I live in a two-bedroom flat so again, speak to Dogs for Good and find out what the right set up actually is rather than what you think it is. I talk to people about it a lot and they're always surprised when I tell them the set up and say that you don't need a big house with a massive garden. Eddie has a small garden space to use for spending and we go out for lots of walks for exercise. The most important thing he really needs is a home with people who love and care for him."

Dan adds that because the charity can provide boarders for when he needs to go away and also the food, vet, insurance and other costs are met, it's been the difference between being able to do it and not. "Having now got a mortgage and bills to pay, that's so important," he says.

When faced with the million-dollar question that is 'how do you let them go?', Seb and Dan are united. "We're both so sick of hearing it!" they both laugh. "We have that conversation so often and of course it's going to be hard, we both know that," says Dan. "I've always known he's not mine and you just have to keep telling yourself that. But I know that when Frankie does go, I want to do it all over again. It's my future ambition to have a wall full of graduation photos of all the puppies I've had in my life.

"Doing this gives me happiness and purpose, I've strengthened my friendship with Seb and I've met a lot of people doing it."

"Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I'll do this again," confirms Seb. "It's been such a positive experience for me. It's opened my eyes and I know the goal is for Eddie to go on to do such a wonderful thing. He'll have a purpose, a job to do and he'll change lives."

Both Dan and Seb have had funny moments with Frankie and Eddie. Both involving water. 

"Eddie was a bit fearful of water, didn't like to walk through puddles," explains Seb. "But he got better and a little while back, we took him for a walk by a local reservoir which has a little stream beside it. Suddenly, Eddie jumped into the stream and swum across. I was a bit shocked and expected him to come back. But no. He didn't. He just stood on the bank the other side, looking at me. I just knew that I'd have to go in and get him. So, I did and when I was halfway across, he jumped in, swum straight past me to the other side and got out!"

Dan said his water moment came early with Frankie. "He was only 13 weeks old, and a friend and I took him out for a walk where there's a pond. Frankie went in but as soon as he got in, he wanted to get out but couldn’t. And because he was so little, I didn't want to hurt him by hauling him out, so I dipped a foot in and then… I sunk. My whole body went in, and I was absolutely drenched. But I got him out and it taught me to always expect the unexpected! Very useful to know when you live with a puppy."