Everyone's Walking The Dog! Part Ten - The Gloss Magazine

Everyone’s Walking The Dog! Part Ten

How are dogs – and their owners – faring in lockdown? We invited owners to share, and want you to share too … tag @theglossmag in your pictures and videos on Instagram and use the hashtag #GlossyDogs …

High-end hounds and cossetted canines are having to learn new tricks in this pesky lockdown. Not only are the legs being walked off them on a daily basis but home, usually partially deserted at given times, is a now constant whirl of activity. There are endless Zooms, round-the-clock supervision and no sneaky snoozing in the master suite.

The life of lockdown dogs is harder than it seems. Their owners’ tempers are frayed. No one is going to the office or school or gym or golf or even for a coffee; teenagers are acting out, mothers haven’t a second to themselves and men, having taken possession of prime real estate at home to WFH, have extended their dominion to rule every kitchen.

How are dogs and their owners faring in lockdown? We invited owners to share, and want you to share too … tag @theglossmag in your pictures and videos on Instagram and use the hashtag #GlossyDogs.

Rosy Temple and her motley crew of dogs

Rosy Temple, CEO of Magee 1866, describes a day in the life of her dogs in Donegal …

“Since I was a little, there have always been dogs at home in Donegal. Usually, a motley crew of working spaniels, the odd Labrador and a cheeky terrier who rules the roost. The naming of these much-loved dogs has had some highs and lows over the years. One particularly adorable dark brown spaniel was named Coco. We followed suit with a Pops but ran out of steam with a Powder which thankfully brought the chocolate naming convention to a close. You’ll be pleased to know that we are now onto the broader scope of Greek Gods, the tiny terrier is loftily named Pan (God of the Countryside).

During lockdown I have been back in Donegal and enjoying the canine companionship of a Labrador, some spaniels and a terrier; their constant daily greeting is a source of cheerfulness, as is their enthusiastic support of all manner of activities. This starts with the daily swim at the nearby pier. The Labrador is in his natural habitat, but has a tendency to jump in and madly splash all around me which is the last thing you want to contend with while settling into the chill of the winter Atlantic! The dogs are also enjoying the increased frequency of walks with excursions to the fields and beach in all weathers.

When it comes to working from home, the dogs have shown great patience to this new experience by sleeping soundly through meetings. Although, they are by no means adverse to contributing to Zoom. Usually, at the most critical point of the meeting, the postman arrives outside and this is heralded by a cacophony yelping and barking. It’s hard to keep a straight face while getting to the mute button quick enough mid-sentence!

Away from the work laptop, like many of us, I have taken to some new pursuits and one of these is gardening. Having very limited experience in this field, I started simply by filling some giant pots with soil, manure and tulip bulbs. A day or two later the dogs had excavated the pots with JCB efficiency with the bulbs turfed out and replaced with two seated spaniels, proudly surveying their handy-work. Oh they are lovable rogues!

At the end of the day, the dogs retire to their luxury shed, where their bedding is made of tweed off-cuts from the Magee 1866 weaving mill. Fine wool herringbones and even a touch of alpaca softness keep this unruly bunch cosy and guarantee a good night’s sleep before the next day of action and horticultural assistance!” @magee1866

Fiona Gratzer and Luna

Fiona Gratzer, CEO of Unislim Online and Gorge Us Foods, credits Luna with helping her overcome a fear of dogs and staying in shape …

“When I was very young we had a gorgeous Springer Spaniel called Ringo. However, over the years I had a few scary encounters with dogs – from greyhounds to dingoes – and developed a fear of them. My anxiety around dogs got so bad, that when I’d visit friends, they would keep their pooch in the garden. I’d even break into a sweat and freeze on the footpath at the sight of the tiniest dog. I think dogs sensed my fear and even though my children were begging for a family dog for years, my big compromise was to get a cat called Sky.

During the first lockdown last year, Sky, who was 12-years-old, sadly passed away. This left a huge gap in our life and the house didn’t feel the same at all. The “Family-Pet Committee” embarked on a very persuasive charm offensive consisting of cute YouTube videos, Instagram photos and a list of reasons why we would all benefit from a little puppy. It didn’t take long and I soon found myself on the road to pick up a cuddly Cockapoo we called Luna.

I’m completely smitten with Luna and I have to admit my daughter has trained her very well. I can’t take any credit, but she’s well behaved and will do almost anything for a piece of chicken. Of course she’s been a little naughty sometimes. When someone says “the dog ate my homework” it’s true! Luna ate my recent tax return (which about summed up my mood) and she has also chewed through the charger for my phone.

That said, having Luna is a gift. She brings us so much joy and she’s fun to have around. I’ve also started jogging with her, which keeps us both in shape. I’ve started a new Unislim online community to help people get in shape during Covid-19, and I’m finding getting out and exploring with Luna helps me to destress and unwind.

Luna brings so much happiness into our home and is a positive, lovely focus for my children. Somehow she’s totally cured my anxiety of dogs, which has been liberating. In fact I would now be an advocate of having dogs in the workplace, if and when, we get back to the office.” @fionagratzer

 

Sinead Keenan and Bonnie

Fashion stylist Sinead Keenan is envious of her pup Bonnie’s styled locks as we enter into another nine weeks of (human) hair salon closures …

“Bonnie is our beloved Phantom Cockerpoo. We got her last September, and she’s the first dog I’ve ever had. I really can’t believe how much we love her and the joy she’s brought us during the lockdowns, especially for my daughter Emma Rose. She had her first groom today. She was such a massive ball of fluff beforehand, we can’t get over the difference. I’m just jealous I can’t get my locks trimmed as quickly!” @sineadkeenanstylist

LOVETHEGLOSS.IE?

Sign up to our MAILING LIST now for a roundup of the latest fashion, beauty, interiors and entertaining news from THE GLOSS MAGAZINE’s daily dispatches.

Choose Your Categories

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This