It’s February which means love is in the air! It also means that it’s time for the first major London dog event of the year, the All Dogs Matter Valentines Walk (as featured on our February round-up of London Dog Events not to miss). Every year, hundreds of London dogs and dog lovers come together for this event to celebrate Valentines day and raise money for less fortunate doggos in the care of London Rescue & Rehoming Charity All Dogs Matter.
The All Dogs Matter Valentines Walk
The All Dogs Matter Valentines Walk is now in its 8th year. It was the first London Dog event we went to when I started the blog three years ago and it was love at first sight! I mean who wouldn’t want to spend the day hanging out with dogs?! Many people bring their dog along and others who don’t have dogs, just come along to get their four-legged fix for the day. Either way it doesn’t matter as the main thing is lots of fun is had and much-needed funds are raised for dogs in need.
Before heading off on the walk, everyone gathered at The Garden Gate Hampstead, many getting into the Valentines spirit by offering free kisses (lots of takers there) or with a Valentines themed accessory or two.
Then it was off on the Valentines Walk around Hampstead Heath! There were two walks on offer, a shorter walk for the more elderly dogs (approx 20 mins) and a longer walk for those who needed to work off some steam (approx 45 mins).
All Dogs Matter Valentines Walk | Loved-Up London Dogs
Inevitably, some people got lost, some dogs got way too muddy but eventually everyone made it back to The Garden Gate. Then it was time for some puparazzi photo opportunities, tasty treats from the ByBenji crew, pooch shopping with Ellery Bow or trying your luck in the Raffle with some fab prizes on offer from our friends at Beautiful Joes, PoochPlay and more.
Some humans certainly came up with innovative ways to stop their pooches dripping mud everywhere!
It was lovely to see many familiar, much-loved faces and lots of new ones too. Many of the London dogs who came along were rescue dogs themselves, now lucky enough to be in their forever homes.
Others like Lucy & Ethel recently rescued from a life of misery at a Puppy Farm are hoping their turn to be adopted comes soon. To find out more about the dogs at All Dogs Matter looking for a home, check out the Available for Adoption page on the All Dogs Matter website.
All Dogs Matter Valentines Walk | Photo Gallery
Our All Dogs Matter Valentines Walk 2018 photos will also be up on our Facebook page shortly!
To find out what’s next on the canine calendar for London Dogs, don’t forget to check out our London Dog Events Calendar, the most comprehensive online resource available for things to do with your dog in London.
