Belted up, wagging tails, and looking out the window: a glimpse into the "Dog Bus"
15 dogs, raised compartments with seatbelts, and a pre-scheduled timetable: a dedicated shuttle service in the UK takes four-legged friends for a daily trip to a private park. "The moment we approach the park, they start barking with excitement," says the driver. A glimpse into the venture conquering the kingdom.
Residents of the Leeds area in the UK are already accustomed to the unusual sight: a yellow bus driving through the streets, with dozens of happy dogs looking out of its windows. The project, called "Billy’s Bus" (named after a Cavapoo dog named Billy), was established to provide a solution for dog owners who cannot take their pets for a walk during the day.
The bus has undergone special adaptation for the dogs' needs: the regular seats were removed, and in their place, raised compartments were installed, allowing them to look at the view through the window while being secured with full safety equipment, seatbelts, and a personal water bowl.
Behind the wheel sits 56-year-old Sharon Telford, a veteran driver who worked for 25 years on a children's play bus.
"We have up to 15 dogs on every trip, and for every six dogs, there is a staff member who accompanies them in the back, talks to them, and calms them down," she says in an interview with The Guardian newspaper.
The dogs "start barking with excitement" when they approach the park
To ensure the safety and atmosphere of the trip, every dog undergoes a trial ride to ensure that it is suitable for the service and gets along with the other dogs. The dogs have very clear habits: "There are dogs that have a favorite seat. One poodle throws a tantrum if another dog sits in her compartment in the front row. She stands there and barks at it, so we just let her sit there," says Telford.
The dogs, she notes, know the route by heart: "As soon as we turn onto a certain road and cross the cattle grid, they start barking with excitement. They can't wait to get to the field."
Attractions, a trampoline, and a "puppuccino" drink
When the bus arrives at the private park, a special sleeve is attached to the door, through which the dogs descend directly into the enclosed area. There, they run freely and play on swings, attractions, and a trampoline.
At the end of the activity, when they return to the bus, the dogs receive treats and a drink called a "puppuccino." "On the way back, they are usually very quiet. You know you've done a good job when they are exhausted," says Telford.
The special project has already managed to participate in a local carnival parade and even in a cinema commercial shoot for a new Disney movie, in which 10 dogs sat on the theater seats. Now, in light of the success, the project is planned to expand throughout the entire kingdom.
