The absolute hardest part of leaving home is leaving your animals behind. Sure, they are being cared for by your family and friends, but no one can love them like you can. Fortunately, you are coming to a place that has no lack of pet-friendly places and people. There are plenty of ways to get your daily dose of fur and licks in, and without busting the bank. When you start to realize that the copious amounts of dog hair on your clothes that you used to find annoying but now you miss more than ever is dwindling, get out there and get cuddling with some other pups. Don’t worry about upsetting your own dogs by fraternizing with strangers' animals, what they don't know won't hurt them. Anyway, if you're like me, multiple months without some interaction with animals is a recipe for a mental unraveling, so I'm sure they will understand. So, check out this list and explore all that London has to offer in the form of animals. The PAWssibilities are endless.
Regents Park If you are finding it especially difficult to live life without your fur babies, a great place to fill that puppy-shaped hole in your heart is Regents Park. You can either walk, it's a nice 25-30 minute walk, or take the tube From Goodge street, changing at Charing Cross, and finally reaching Regents Park station. Not only is it a gorgeous place to enjoy a nice day, but it is filled with adorable pups and their owners who are usually happy to let you give some love. You can spend your day exploring the massive park, sitting on a bench and people watching or having an epic game of capture the flag with your mates. All the while, you are bound to come across some pups who are also enjoying their day and would love nothing more than your attention. Of course, nothing will be able to replace your furry child, but it will help you go on, at least for a little while. Java Whiskers 105 Great Portland St. Marylebone, London W1W 6QF Any animal lover will adore this cozy cafe, especially because along with your tea, you get to enjoy the company of at least fifteen feline friends. It is a short walk from Gower Street, and a very pleasant one at that. There is an admission price of £19.99 per person for one hour, but you can feel good about where your money is going. All the proceeds go straight back to the cats to ensure they have the absolute best care. This initial price does not include food or drink, but you can order whatever you like from the cafe. If a simple coffee will not do for your cat cafe experience, there are other, albeit more expensive, options that might suit your taste. If you fancy an afternoon tea, they offer just that on Saturdays and Sundays for £29.99 per person. This price does include cakes, scones, and some savory finger sandwiches as well as one drink per person. There is no better way to have your tea than to be surrounded by loving cats who will no doubt try to steal your food. There is even an option to adopt one of the cats if you fall in love, but unfortunately, you will be unsuccessful in attempting to convince your professor and fellow housemates to bring an animal into 35 Gower Street Trust me, I've tried. Horniman Museum and Gardens 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ This Museum/Garden duo is a wonderful place to go and socialize with dogs in a gorgeous setting. There is free entry to both the gardens and the museum, and in the gardens is where you will see the most pups. The beautifully landscaped gardens are easy to navigate with maps scattered along the gravel trails. It is divided into different sections, the most popular of which include the Bee Garden, the Meadow Field, and the Sunken Gardens. You can get lost for hours in these spaces, and your time will only be made better by all the dogs you are bound to meet along the way. It is a bit of a trek to get there, but you can take the London Overground line to Forest Hill station which is only a five-minute walk to the gardens. It will likely end up being a full-day activity, but it's sure to be a lovely day. Borrow My Doggy This one is a bit different from the rest as it is not a place, but a website. By signing up, you will be put in contact with hundreds of dog owners across London who for whatever reason, need some assistance in taking care of their pups. If you are not a UK citizen, you will have to provide proof of residency which can be difficult, but certainly worth the one-on-one time, you will enjoy through the website. Because you will not be able to bring the dogs to 35 Gower Street, you will have to specify that you are only available during the day for dog walking or playtime. Every owner and volunteer has to submit multiple forms of identification and must submit to background checks before their account can be verified. That being said, it is still crucial to keep your wits about you when you first meet random people you spoke to online. I would recommend bringing a friend, at least for your first encounter. You may form a relationship with the dog and owner, and be their go-to person when they need help with their dogs. Of course, the only payment you will receive is the wonderful company of some adorable dogs, but this is the best payment anyone could ever receive. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home 4 Battersea Park Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4AA Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is an amazing organization that has been around since 1860. They have multiple locations across East England, one of which is right here in London. While this will not be as easy as hanging around a park waiting for the dogs to come to you, volunteering your time to help dogs and cats in need is an extremely rewarding experience. As a first-time volunteer, Battersea will likely have you start with office work or have you help cleaning out the cages. That being said, you will still be working in an animal shelter, so you are bound to be able to spend time with some. The more time you spend there and the better relationship you forge with the shelter and the dogs, the more likely you will be able to take on more responsibilities, like helping to socialize the animals, or even helping trainers with their sessions. If this sounds appealing, you can apply to volunteer on the Battersea website. There is also a “volunteer vacancies” page where you can see the roles they are trying to fill. If you find yourself in London without your fur baby and you just don't know how you will last the next few months without them, you might as well apply. There's no better way to get your mind off your own pups than to spend time with others in need. Doga (AKA Dog Yoga) Address varies Trust me when I say, Doga will change your life. As someone who has tried to force myself into liking Yoga for years with no success, I was shocked when all it took was one Doga session for me to fall in love. Imagine doing your downward dog with an actual puppy interfering in the cutest way possible. There are multiple Doga locations in London, but the one I am most familiar with is called Pups Yoga. This studio partners with trusted and licensed breeders to give the puppies a chance to socialize with people, and the people a chance to spend time with fluffy little babies. At Pups Yoga, you can book a session for £35 a person. I won't lie, this is excessive for one Yoga class, but this isn't Yoga, its Doga. Plus, you really can't put a price on joy, and there is nothing more joyful than puppies. After booking your class, you will receive an email 3-4 days prior to your class with the address of the session. You won't need anything you wouldn't bring to a normal yoga class. It's unclear whether they provide mats (I think this varies on the location) so I would recommend picking up a cheap mat from a sports store before you go. The quality isn't important because you aren't really there for the yoga, you're there for the dogs.
0 Comments
|