Irishman launches 'facebook for dogs'
Trucker sets up 'K9 Friends United' website for Ulster's dog lovers
The site incorporates a gallery where you can show off pictures of your pet and upload videos
Thursday November 27 2008
TRUCKER Diarmuid Scullin is usually dog-tired after clocking up an average 1,500 miles behind the wheel of his rig every week.
But it hasn't stopped the dad-of-three launching a unique - and free - website for canine lovers, and those who have already logged on reckon its grrr-eat!
The K9friendsunited.com website allows dog lovers to get to know one another and keep up to speed on all topics about man's best friend. The site incorporates a gallery where you can show off pictures of your pet and upload videos of it.
There's also a lost and found section, and even a memorial tribute page in memory of a cherished companion who has gone to the great kennel in the sky.
Diarmuid, who lives in Tyrone, said: "Basically, the aim is to unite dogs and dog lovers. I've always noticed when I'm driving that people walking a dog tend to be on their own.
"So I thought it would be a great idea if there was somewhere they could meet up and exchange information about their pets.
"But the joy of it is that people have complete control over their own website page. They can add on, take off and edit any of their content."
Diarmuid, who drives throughout the UK and Ireland, admits that the first item in his cab every morning is not his lunchbox, but his Laptop!
"When I get a break, I like to pull in and go online because the interest generated in just a week is way beyond my greatest expectations. There's no doubt we're a nation of dog lovers. Within hours of going online, I was getting photos and messages from all over the place. People were also contributing to the forum page with views on just about everything."
And it is one area that drives Diarmuid on. "I want to use the forum to expose puppy-farming - one of a number of campaigns I have in mind. For instance, I also believe insurance companies are taking dog lovers for a ride with exorbitant premiums and that coupled with soaring veterinary fees has led to many pets simply being abandoned.
"That is wrong and we can, through strength of numbers, bring pressure to bear in many of these areas. Then there's the question of dogs being stolen to order or dogs that simply go missing. The website could prove invaluable in tracking their movements - whether it's here, the Republic or on the mainland."
Diarmuid has kept dogs all his life, but amazingly confesses: "I don't have one at the moment! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love dogs. They make great friends because they wag their tails and not their tongues.
"But my job means I'm away from home from dawn to dusk and a dog needs looking after and walked at least three-times-a-day. I simply can't do that and it's the one depressing aspect of my work."
He is, however, planning a special Christmas appeal on the site to warn dads and mums to "think twice" before buying their children a new puppy.
"A dog is a responsibility for its entire life and many people don't realise that before they bring one into the home," added Diarmuid. "People have to be absolutely certain of their commitment to any pet and ensure it will not be discarded once the novelty has worn off.
"It's just heartbreaking to see the number of abandoned animals that end up in rescue centres every year and it really is cruel behaviour."
If you want to log on to Diarmuid's site, click K9friendsunited.com
