The story of Justin, Betty & Charlie...

Charlie & Bettie

Hi, I'm Justin from Wellington. I'm a passionate and active member of the Dog Share Collective, and I created this website.

These two scallywags to the left are Charlie and Betty.

I last owned a dog ('owned'? What a horrible term)...the last time I was a dog's special hooman was 22 years ago. My gorgeous, beloved Mindy had made it to 15 before we had to 

make that heart-breaking visit to the vet to say our good-byes (a bit of honesty here: ​​I was so devastated I couldn't face up to the trip; my sister acting as my proxy).

​I had a lot of people die on me when I was young: Mum, Dad, a best friend and a bunch of aunts and uncles. But maybe you can relate to this: the stab to the heart of losing your close canine best person is unlike anything else - in fact, I have never gotten over losing Mindy.

​As desperate as I was to get another dog, I couldn't. I have never owned my own house, and well, good luck finding a gracious landlord when your Significant Other has 4 legs and an altogether different appreciation of toilet etiquette. 

Justin

​The dog-shaped hole in my soul would have to remain unrequited.

And then, just over 12 months ago, I discovered the Dog Share Collective. It was one of those self-absorbed moments when I thought someone had created a service just for me.

Of course the truth is, the Dog Share Collective is changing a lot of lives and filling a lot hearts around New Zealand.

Katherine - Bettie & Charlie's human

People with dogs who work all day (like Kat here), know there is someone else on deck to walk and cuddle their dogs when they can't be around.

​For people like me, who LOVE dogs but can't have any, there's that chance to build a fulfilling bond with dogs who very quickly grow to love and trust you.

For me and Katherine, it's worked out brilliantly. As I live pretty close by and mainly work from home, I get to walk Bettie and Charlie 2-3 days a week.

Katherine's learning Te Reo this year, and once a month that requires her to go up north a bit and spend a weekend on a marae. That means I get to house-sit and it's wall-to-wall Bettie & Charlie for a couple of days.

I can't recommend the Dog Share Collective highly enough. With any relationship, it's all about fit. When you get the fit right, it's pretty much an abundance of blessing all around. Bettie, Charlie, Katherine and I can attest to that.

Just one little bit of propitious serendipity I'll leave you with (and it still amazes me a bit every time I think of it). Remember when I said earlier I lost my Mum and Dad at a young age? Want to know what their names were? Bettie and Charlie.

And if you or your business need a website, contact me at Cheeky Upstart. I specialise in creating awesome sites for all kinds of fantastic charities, non-profit organisations and socially-ethical enterprises.