Where pets are kings

EVERY pet has its little ways...

One little dog, for instance, had its own bedroom, its own bed and its own routine, which meant that every night when Sallyann Gray was looking after him, she tucked him up in bed and pulled the duvet snugly over him.

"It was what he was used to and what the owner wanted us to do," says Sallyann, "so, of course, that's what we did."

Sallyann and husband David run the local Petpals, which will basically care for your pets as well as you would, right down to its very special routine.

Dog walking, pet sitting, cat visiting....

they'll look after your pets in your home or have them to stay in theirs, like very honoured guests.

Your dog likes grated cheese on everything?

Fine. Your cats like someone to talk to them while they're eating? Fine.

Your lizard likes chopped up tomatoes?

Also fine. Your budgie, rabbit, parrot, hamster and even your snake, will feel right at home.

"Kennels aren't always right for a dog that's used to being part of a family.

They're used to being in a house, the sound of conversation, television, the washing machine, having people around them all the time," says Sallyann. "And carpets. Hard to get used to a concrete floor when you're used to carpets and comfy chairs."

If it wasn't for the enthusiastic barking from the back of the house, it would be hard to believe, sitting in her immaculate front room, that they regularly have pets to stay, and that this is also home, not just to the Grays and their three children, but also to the Grays' own menagerie - currently a retriever called Jasper, two rescue dogs, two cats, two rabbits, a five foot long corn snake, an aquarium of tropical fish and a pony.

"We know exactly how passionately people feel about their pets. True, we've had some pampered pooches, but pets are a real part of the family and it's hard to go away and enjoy yourself if you're worried about leaving them behind."

Sallyann took over the Petpals franchise for Darlington and Yarm two years ago, loved it so much that husband David joined her and took over the Teesside franchise. They have three vans and a car specially fitted out for the animals - they will take your pet to the vets too, including the night-time emergency vet service in Middlesbrough.

"It's always been a dream to work with animals," says Sallyann, who previously worked in pre-school education - "a lot of transferable skills".

She'd not long come in from walking some dogs. She and her team walk all shapes and sizes of dogs everyday.

Armed with bunches of keys ("The bane of my life. David's an ex-policeman so we are very security conscious"), pooh bags and dog biscuits, the walkers take the dogs out for an energetic 40 minutes or so.

"A few years ago, people would never have thought of paying someone to walk their dogs, but now we are all so busy that we have got used to paying for all sort of extra help, and that includes looking after the dogs."

The walkers, all fully insured, never take more than four dogs at once, fewer if they have particularly boisterous dogs, and there are always two walkers when they have a new dog, just in case, but they have never had any trouble.

They always write a little report about where the dogs have been. And as owners were intrigued about the places and the other dogs, Sallyann now organises regular walks for all her clients.

"Last weekend we were in Coatham Wood. There were 22 dogs all running free with at least 40 owners, friends and families. It's a wonderful sight. We had lovely weather this time, but even when it's wet and muddy, everyone still enjoys it and it's good to meet the other owners."

When she's asked to board a pet, she has a team of 12 families she can call on.

"It's important that we know the families well and also that we can match the pet to the family. The pets keep to their own routine and get lots of attention, including cuddles. No dog is ever left to howl and wowl and be miserable.

We knew of one couple who owned a setter and hadn't been on holiday for seven years because they couldn't leave her.

But she was very happy to stay with us.

She started off just for one night, then a weekend and now they're happy to leave her for three weeks at a time.

"Our dogs love it when we have others staying here. Dogs are pack animals.

They love company."

Cats, of course, are much more independent, which is why the team is more likely to go in and see to cats in their own homes. And water the plants and pick up the post while they're there. They will also make regular home visit to check up on sick or elderly animals, who might need medicine or just a bit of attention and company.

The first time we came across the Grays was when they were nominated for Bouquet of the Week. They had taken a sick dog in their pet taxi to the vet's, sadly, to be put down but were so kind and gentle with both the dog and the owner that they made a difficult situation a lot easier to cope with.

Sallyann is on the go from 8am - 8pm - not forgetting having to see to her daughter's horse and all the paperwork.

She produces a regular newsletter and is a keen supporter of the pet blood bank.

"People don't realise that animals need blood transfusions too and so there have to be donors. Jasper's a regular.

He's down the vet's every three months to give blood."

It's not just cats and dogs that are welcome in the Grays' home. "We've had snakes, rats, free-flying budgies, house rabbits, tortoises, lizards and an African parrot that sings. All sorts really."

But even for a passionate animal lover, there are limits. "The only thing I don't think I could cope with is spiders. I really don't like spiders. I think we'd have to say no to those."

* www.petpals.com. Petpals Darlington and Yarm tel: 0845 094 0937. Dog walking, dog visits, doggy home boarding, cat visits, home sitting, small pets and exotics.

Specially adapted pet taxi for everything from small pets to huge dogs. Petpals charge £9 a day to walk dogs and £20 per night for dogs to board in a family home.

Bouquet of the Week

Dear Sharon,

I LOST my oldest daughter, Jacqueline, very suddenly just over a month ago. She was only 45. As well as leaving a family of four, she left a huge hole in people's hearts. She worked as a specialist care nurse for the severely disabled at the St John of God Lindisfarne Court care home in Darlington.

The people who work there do an amazing job, as I found out last week at my daughter's memorial evening where the fathers of St John of God and all the staff laid on a wonderful evening to celebrate my daughter's life and work.

We would like to thank them for the unforgettable memorial evening and to show our appreciation for all the work they do. They are very special people and work so hard. It is a truly wonderful homefrom- home care home and with some wonderful people.

Mrs Audrey Simpson, Darlington.

* We were very sorry to hear of Jacqueline's death, but it was good to hear how the people of St John of God remembered her. So for that, and all the terrific work they do, we're sending staff there this week's bouquet.

MRS Doris Hickaby of Darlington would like to thank her neighbours Anne and Michael Garnett for all their kindnesses during her recent bereavement and illness. "They are truly wonderful neighbours."

Jane Andrews of Darlington fell awkwardly while walking part of the Teesdale Way recently. "I had sprained my ankle badly and could not walk, even with the help of my friend, Ruth. Luckily, Peter Garvey of Redcar and Simon Miller from Stockton, who were walking in the opposite direction, stopped to help.

Between them they almost carried me the mile and a half to the road, where I was able to wait while Ruth fetched the car and collected me.

They had also offered to do that. I was extremely grateful for their help as otherwise it would have been a very long hop!"