Senior pups find community in South Surrey<\/p>\n
Published 3:00 pm Monday, August 10, 2026<\/p>\n
A South Surrey dog lover is creating a space where senior pups can slow down, socialize and make a few new friends. <\/p>\n
Ariana Alblas, creator of the Golden Years Dog Community, started the group after an idea came to her in the middle of the night. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was an idea that came to me at 4:30 in the morning when I was asleep. I woke up so excited that I grabbed my phone and immediately wrote the idea into my notes just so I didn\u2019t forget,\u201d Alblas told Peace Arch News. <\/p>\n
Alblas said she went back to sleep afterwards but the idea stuck with her. She wanted to create a community specifically for older dogs and their owners. <\/p>\n
The next day Alblas recalled searching to see if a group like this already existed. While she said she found a Reddit post from someone wishing there was a park specifically for senior dogs, she couldn\u2019t find an existing community like the one she dreamed of. <\/p>\n
Alblas shared she decided instead of jumping to the extreme of finding a park just for seniors dogs, she would create a meetup group on Facebook where senior dogs and their owners could connect. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve given us so many years of love and companionship, and I think they deserve to have a community where they can still come out, make friends and have fun,\u201d said Alblas. <\/p>\n
She shared that the first gathering was held in June, with meetups taking place on the first Sunday of each month at Bakerview Park in South Surrey. <\/p>\n
The August meeting was held on Aug. 9 due to the long weekend the Sunday prior and had the group\u2019s biggest turnout so far. Alblas said that about 10 dogs came and went throughout the hour and a half meetup. <\/p>\n
Alblas usually says she brings water, treats and pup cups for the dogs. She explained that these gatherings are intentionally meant to be informal as the real purpose is in creating a place where both dogs and their humans can spend time together. <\/p>\n
\u201cI do believe dogs need connection and socialization,\u201d Alblas said. <\/p>\n
The idea, Alblas said, may have come from another senior dog she encountered when sitting an older pup. <\/p>\n
Through her work as an animal massage therapist and acupressure, Alblas said she has had 11 dog clients pass away in just this past year. She explained that she has seen firsthand how deeply attached owners can become to their pets, with many considering their dogs to be members of the family or even like their own child. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think grief is a part of life and we all deal with it in these later stages, it can really be tough for some people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
That shared experience is part of what Alblas hopes the Golden Years Dog Community can help address. <\/p>\n
Alblas said the meetup gives owners an opportunity to exchange information, share experiences and potentially form friendships of their own, while their dogs get to spend time with other pups at a similar stage of life. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think having something like this can bring people together. They can share their tips and tricks and give a chance for the dogs just to be low key,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For Alblas, senior dogs deserve to be celebrated for more than simply their age. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want people to know that our senior dogs still have so much to give. They still want to be social, experience things, and they still have so much personality and love,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
At the end of the day, Alblas hopes these monthly meetups can offer comfort and connection to both ends of the leash. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy main hope is that this will bring people together and bring them comfort as well as their pets. This is a place where pets can still be stimulated but in a calm environment,\u201d said Alblas. <\/p>\n