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SOCIAL distancing can be difficult for the nation’s favourite pet, and so can only one walk per day.

The World Health Organisation recently announced that dogs cannot get coronavirus, which is welcome news for those West Dunbartonshire residents that may have been worried about their pooch falling ill.

And while we humans may feel the boredom, the isolation and the worry more than most household animals, dogs could also be feeling it as well with their daily routine disrupted by the lockdown restrictions placed on all households by the UK Government.

With these new limits in place, the Reporter spoke with Dumbarton dog owners about how they are handling these surreal days.

Angie Davis Mua, from Balloch, who has two English Bull Terriers called Luna and Nero, said: “I have two dogs and the lockdown has definitely made it easier for them. It’s a great excuse to get out if that makes sense, I imagine it would be easy to recluse yourself, which would lead to depression, so having them around is definitely helping."

She added: “Normally we take the dogs up the fields for a good run about off the lead, but since lockdown we’ve been walking from the house and keeping them on the lead.

“I think the dogs are happier, the kids are at home all day and they love couch cuddles with my boys.”

However, some animal lovers say their pets have been finding the lockdown harder to deal with.

Dumbarton's Tracie Sharpe, the owner of a handsome big Cane Corso named Sicario, said: “I don’t think I could handle it without him, but he seems confused now that his dad has to take him out and he doesn’t eat the same.

“We are lucky my husband is able to walk him. There are a lot of people who live on their own and can’t take their companions out to exercise as much as they normally would do.”

Official advice from the UK Government is to combine your once daily allowed form of exercise with walking your dog and while doing so to remain two metres away from anyone outside your household.

All non-essential trips to vets should be avoided, and those who are showing symptoms of coronavirus should ask someone else to walk their dog.

Mandie Walton, from Highmains, the owner of Max, a Staffie cross Labrador, and Mollie, a Staffie, added: “I’m still going to work because I work for the railway, but the rest of my family are taking it in turns to walk them, so they’ve had plenty of exercise.

“The main thing they can’t understand is having to stay away from people when we do go out for a walk, they like to meet and get fusses off everyone they meet but obviously they can’t do that now. They’re very sociable and think that everyone must love them, so can’t understand why they get ignored now.”

“I can’t wait for things to go back to normal, their walks are shorter for now and they can’t play with other dogs they see, so it’s hard on them.”

And Mandie has a message for all those worrying about what long lasting effects coronavirus might have on their dogs.

She said: “It won’t last forever. Dogs are happy with company and I know some dogs will be missing having lots of walks and contact with others, but we will get through this and hopefully not take things for granted after this.”

For more information on living with your four-legged friend throughout coronavirus, visit gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals.