From what started with a few friends and their four-legged companions, a cross community ‘family’ has gained momentum in west Belfast and is continuing to bring people together.
‘Doggy Danders’ is celebrating its one-year anniversary this Christmas.
The group welcomes the wider community on weekly walks aimed at tackling isolation, promoting fitness and wellbeing and sharing tips and advice with dog owners.
Despite numerous weather warnings for wind and rain, every Sunday the group meets for a weekly walk in Falls Park and has only missed one, that due to the weather being ‘too hot’ for the dogs.
Doggy danders celebrates its one year anniversary in Falls Park in west Belfast. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Over the course of the year, the group has partnered with Guide Dogs NI, Food Stock and animal rescue centre Almost Home.
They are hosting a ‘Santa Paws’ event on Monday and Tuesday, hoping to raise more funds for Guide Dogs NI.
Jim Deeds organiser of Doggy danders celebrating its one year anniversary in Falls Park in west Belfast. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
OOrganiser Jim Deeds said the group has spiralled into something he could have “never imagined”.
“Some weeks there are 100 people in the park, with 70 dogs. I could never have imagined it would turn into this.
“There are beautiful stories already from the year. An older gentleman came along in February and told us he hadn’t left the house since the previous October, when his wife died.
“He came out, and he’s a part of our community. There are countless stories like that. We know the power dogs have to unite people, but I don’t think any of us thought we would be in this position now, it’s unbelievable.”
Over Christmas, the group is hosting extra events and extra walks to support people who find this time of year particularly challenging.
Jim will miss his friend Joanne from the group, who tragically passed away two months ago.
“We know it’s difficult time. It’s difficult for us, we lost one of our volunteers, Joanne McDonnell, who died from liver cancer, she was only 46. She was there on the first doggy dander with her daughter,” he said.
“It is a tricky time for everyone, so we put in the diary as many doggy danders as we could manage. Now we have the presence in the community, we are really tapping into it to be a force for good this Christmas.’’
Enjoying a pup pot at 7 coffee shop as Doggy danders celebrates its one year anniversary in Falls Park in west Belfast. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN