Influencer Holly Carpenter is encouraging dog lovers to attend Dogs Trust's 'The Big Paws' memory walk to pay respect to beloved pooches who have passed away.
We all know that losing a dog can be upsetting and hard to come to terms with. Dogs Trust have set up the event in the hopes that people can come together to reflect on the impact their pets had on their lives.
"I got my first rescue dog when I was seven, her name was Molly. I had her until I was 23. I know how much dogs become part of your family, and I know how hard it is when you have to say goodbye," Holly tells RSVP Live.
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"Unfortunately our dogs can't live forever. It always breaks my heart they have such a short life."
The Big Paws walk will take place on the evening of Saturday the 30th of September in Malahide Castle in north county Dublin.
There are a limited number of tickets for dogs and they are available from the Dogs Trust website.
Those bringing dogs are asked to ensure their furry friends are well socialised, comfortable with other dogs and children and are familiar with large crowds.
Holly says that losing a dog can be heart-breaking. "Sometimes people don't understand the grief and think 'it's just a dog.' Dogs Trust recognised that there's no ritual or way of marking a dog's passing, so they came up with the idea for The Big Paws."
The walk will also be an opportunity to raise funds for Dogs Trust. "So many dogs are being abandoned and returned to rehoming centres due to the cost of living crisis, or life getting busier again after Covid. A lot of people didn't think it through when they got dogs [during lockdown]," says Holly.
Those who can't make it to Malahide are encouraged to set up their own memory walks and fundraisers in their local area.
Holly has long been a supporter of the adopt don't shop philosophy. "After Molly died, my family went on to foster another three dogs from Dogs Trust. When I was living alone during lockdown I needed companionship, so I got onto Dogs Trust as I have been an ambassador for them since 2011."
Holly began fostering Max, a miniature schnauzer terrier cross. "He has the little angry eyebrows schnauzers have, he's a quirky face. He's so cute.
"It was only meant to be for a few months but everyone knew I wasn't going to give him back. I ended up adopting him."
Max is very attached to Holly, she even admits he is a bit spoiled. "He has five different beds around the house and all his toys. He even gets blogger mail! He has his own quirks, likes and dislikes. It's important to understand rescue dogs and to not put them in situations where they are uncomfortable.
"These dogs have so much love to give, they all deserve a second chance. It breaks my heart when I see people using puppy farms or breeders because for every dog that is bought, there's so many others that won't get a home."
You can donate to Dogs Trust online.
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