The number of pets in London doubled during lockdown. Dog ownership increased 84% in 2020 alone. There is now a pandemic puppy phenomenon and thieves are roaming the capital looking to make thousands from dog-napping. The metropolitan police are even employing pet detectives.
This surge in dog-ownership has all been to fight off loneliness, so I went to the park to ask a few dog owners about how they were coping.
James is a professional photographer and understandably, with few out and about, work has been very quiet. James says his priority has been to keep his “mind busy and body healthy”.
He says, “I like to get out and appreciate nature. Even though it is hard to do that in the winter because it is freezing. That’s the benefit of having a dog. He’s the reason… I have to take him for two walks a day and I have to go out even if it is winter and it is freezing cold.”
Alex and Matt were out walking their dogs together. Matt told me that they had become friends via dog walking and his dog had become an important part of avoiding social isolation during lockdown.
“I actually met people like Alex, and I met some other puppy friends, through taking my dog for a walk – through just meeting in the mornings, so it really helped just being outdoors and meeting new people that way. It helped a lot.”
Matt told me how the puppy has become an important part of his relationship with his partner – they moved in together at the start of the pandemic.
“We were definitely thinking about getting a puppy for a long time and so the timing for that worked out as well. And this guy really helped get us out of the house twice a day.”
Alex said he was already living with his partner before lockdown – and to ensure they were not socially isolated the organised events, joined WhatsApp groups and kept in touch with family.
However, they bought a dog to ensure they left the house more: “We got a dog that kept us going out and about and made some new friends through that.”
Apparently, three million UK households have bought a pet since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
If you have the money and the free time and a local park then buying a dog during lockdown may make sense to you, too. It will certainly help with loneliness and you will definitely have the dog as an “ice-breaker” to start chatting to strangers who may well become new friends.
Remember, though, a puppy (or a rescue dog) is not just for the pandemic – it’s for life!
