Story and pictures by Kym McDowell
I know that I’m at the right house, a couple of barks lets me know that Brodie and Millie are waiting to meet me. POOPS client, Liz, soon follows behind them and welcomes me into her home. We get comfortable under the patio, as it’s a reasonably warm winter day.
Brodie, a young Jack Russell, is quick to introduce himself and takes up residence next to me on the sofa. Millie, also a Jack Russell, in her twilight years, is more content to vie for Liz’s attention.
Liz tells me about her background as a clinical nurse consultant at the children’s hospital in Perth for many years. “It was the best job in the hospital as far as I’m concerned”, she says. Liz has lived on her own, with her dogs, since her husband passed 14 years ago. “I would feel very lonely without them I think, and would lack purpose. I’ve always been a carer, in my career as a nurse, and now I care for these two”, Liz explains.
Liz has known about POOPS for a long time, having first encountered the organisation during her time working in the hospital, “I thought, what a wonderful idea. Amazing. I’d pass your information on to the social workers.” Since a fall in the last couple of years, Liz has found the support of POOPS invaluable. “I was actually planning to volunteer as a walker, but that was before my fall”, Liz tells me, “I love my two dogs but I can’t afford another fall and I feel like I could get pulled over walking two dogs”.
Liz has always volunteered in her life, and is currently involved with the Perth Zoo, The University of the Third Age (U3A) and is an alumni of the children’s hospital. Liz shares her love of volunteering, “I’ve made some fabulous friends and been involved in running U3A. It keeps me active, going out to lunch and on excursions. I’m not one to be bored.”
Brodie is leaning against me as I talk to Liz, and as he looks up at me passively it’s not hard to see why she fell for him. We get to talking about how important Millie and Brodie are to Liz, “They’re just intrinsic to my life, really. They are very special.” She continues, “When my husband first died I wouldn’t have gotten out of bed if I hadn’t had a dog. When the dogs get out of bed, that’s when the day starts. That gets me out of bed. To me, they are really important.”
As we chat, Millie is still excitedly trying to get Liz’s attention and is not that fussed on me being there, but Brodie is happy to meet new people and snuggles up next to me. Liz continues, “They love their POOPS walkers. A couple of walkers had to leave recently for personal reasons and we had a few days without them and it was really obvious! I’m very lucky to have walkers 4 days a week.”
Liz can’t say enough good things about POOPS and her dog walkers, “I can’t live without POOPS anymore. Mille and Brodie hear that front gate and they know that they’re expecting someone.”
“The whole concept of POOPS is so fabulous”, Liz tells me. To her walkers she says, “Thanks! I love you to bits, and my doggies love you. I thank my walkers every time they come.”’
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