Bebo for dog owners has had massive response since its launch
The site has space for profiles, videos and photos a variety of additional features including instant messenger so that members can chat to each other and emails
Saturday January 10 2009
Dubbed 'bebo for dogs', a new social networking site set up in Ireland aims to connect dog owners who wish to proudly show off their pooches.
The website K9 Friends United was established by Diarmuid Scullin from Cookstown in Co Tyrone.
A lorry driver for more than 10 years, Diarmuid said that the idea came to him on one of his long journeys through England to Ireland.
"I was just passing through a small town near Birmingham and I noticed that there were a lot of dog walkers out, but all of them were alone," he said.
A dog lover himself, Diarmuid's idea was that he could introduce a social aspect into dog walking.
connect
"I thought, wouldn't it be good if other dog owners could connect with each other, swap stories and give tips for safe places to walk?" he added.
Diarmuid said that he believed that people might set up walking groups with their pets at spots around the country.
The site has space for profiles, videos and photos for members to show off their beloved pets. But it also has a variety of additional features including instant messenger so that members can chat to each other and emails for organising get-togethers with pets.
And there is even a section for owners to upload poems and pictures dedicated to their deceased dogs.
"It's a memorial section where people can load photos of their dogs who have passed away," Diarmuid explained. "And people who may have some questions about the health of their dog can also post questions online."
But Diarmuid said that when he set up the site, he didn't anticipate the massive response which he has had. The website has been live for four weeks at www.k9friendsunited.com and so far almost 200 people have registered their dogs on the site.
"It has been such a roller coaster. What has been most surprising was the number of nationalities," said Diarmuid.
"There are people from eight different countries now registered."
- Claire Murphy
