A Pomeranian meet-up launched during the Covid lockdown has grown into a thriving community of dog owners from across the region.
The Colchester Pomeranian Club, a social meet up for dog owners which happens in Castle Park every few months on a Sunday, now attracts visitors from as far as Norfolk and Glastonbury.
The dog-owners share stories, advice, and their pooches enjoy plenty of dog playtime in a judgment-free setting.
The club started when Covid restrictions allowed people to meet in socially distanced settings on July 5, 2020.
Jenny Carroll, the club founder said: “It was lockdown when everyone was just completely alone from each other.
“We just missed being around other dogs and our dog missed being around dogs that were other Pomeranians.
“I set it up with the view that we could meet out in the open and chat to each other. We would just all stand quite far apart.
“It started with literally about four of us just chatting about our dogs and the dogs would play and then we set it up to meet every couple of months in the park.”
Carroll owns her own dog-walking and pet caring company in Colchester called Pickle & Co Pet Care, named after her own Pomeranian.
What began with just four people meeting near the boating area of Castle Park has since grown into a much larger community.
Carroll said: “It just grew, every time more people would come and someone would tell someone else and it just grew and grew.
"Now we're in our sixth year and we are kind of having like 30 dogs come.”
Discussions often turn to health concerns, care tips, and the joys and challenges of owning the breed.
People who don't own a Pomeranian are also able to attend the meet-ups.
The Pomeranians themselves range from puppies to elderly dogs, pure bred to Pomeranian mixed as well as dogs that are a bit more reactive and are less socialised.
She said: “There's no judgment because Pomeranians can be quite naughty.”
The club has built a strong sense of friendship as well, with group members attending a members wedding and supporting each other through pet bereavement.
Carroll added: “It's just quite a big support network really.”
Recently, two Pomeranians that met through the group had puppies together, and the arrival of the four pups has been a shared celebration for everyone involved.
The last meet-up took place in April, and the next event is likely to be after summer due to the dogs’ thick coats and the warm weather.
Members stay connected through a Facebook group and Instagram.
The group also shares photos after each meet-up for those unable to attend in person, whether due to distance or disability.
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