The Yorkshire Vet: Grand day out aboard Billy’s dog bus - Julian Norton
I’d been invited for a ride on Billy’s Bus. It was an opportunity not to be missed. At the allotted time, Emmy and I waited at a bus stop just outside Otley. Had it not been for the thick cloud enveloping this part of Wharfedale, there would have been a spectacular view.
Many years ago, a trip to Otley would have meant a rock-climbing session on The Chevin, but today I was waiting for a ride on a minibus designed for dogs! It wasn’t long before a vehicle resembling a large, yellow American school bus pulled into view. There were a couple of riders already on board. Obviously, Billy was there, on the front seat. It was his bus, after all!
Bentley was lounging at the back behind a gate. He was too large to fit on a seat. Emmy and I sat together on the opposite side of the aisle and she was strapped in. As far as she or I could remember, Emmy had never been on a bus before. She seemed to be taking to the experience pretty well. Pedestrians waved, as we made our way from Otley to Ilkley, picking up dogs from bus stops as we went. Each seat had a fluffy face peering from it, and they all looked very excited. Jessica the Cockerpoo was an old hand and knew exactly where to sit, but a pair of young Dachshunds- Ronnie and Bo- were intent on chaos, especially when one of them leapt from her seat, ending up dangling by her harness and seatbelt because her legs were too short to reach the floor. Em wagged her tail as the excitement rose. Even Billy, who must have been used to the trip, couldn’t keep his tail still for a moment. The whole scene reminded me of the Richard Scarry Books that I’d read as a child, with Lowly Worm, Bananas Gorilla and Huckle Cat, although I’m not sure exactly why! It must have been the resemblance of the vehicle.
Billy’s Bus was the brainchild of Laura, Billy’s owner. She told me how she’d had the idea after Billy’s less than wonderful experience in a more standard “doggy day care” arrangement where he had spent most of the day being transported in a van filled with cages. Laura explained that this bespoke service was intended to bridge the gap between full boarding and a single hour’s walk. The bus journey ends at a secure dog park near Ilkley’s Cow and Calf. The dogs enjoy the trip, meet up with friends, play in the field and are then returned home later in the day. It sounded too good to be true, but as the seats filled with more canine passengers, Laura’s dream was clearly a reality. There were even cameras which could provide livestreams of the journey to owners back at home or at work.
It wasn’t long before we arrived at the dog-park and everyone jumped out. In there was a smorgasbord of play-things, including agility obstacles like see-saws and balance beams and even a trampoline. Of course, there was a multitude of balls and plenty of human helpers to keep everyone entertained. The play continued for a good hour, after which there was much towelling and cleaning of feet before we all filed back to our seats. Laura explained that the whole of the inside of the bus was thoroughly cleaned each evening in time for the next day. Travelling back felt like returning from a childhood outing to the seaside at Scarborough: there was plenty of sleeping.
The trip was fun and the enterprise impressive. Billy’s bus is the UK’s first dog bus and already has over one thousand dogs enrolled! It was a privilege to have been part of this most excellent adventure!